What Is F1 Sprint Race? A Recap of Major Rules Ahead of Brazilian Grand Prix

Formula One Sprint has been a relative success for the support. On the two occasions F1 has hosted the Sprint, the outcome of the weekend has turned the championship on its head. The last of the three sprint races would be held in the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix.

On both occasions, the championship contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have clashed with each other. F1 had initially introduced the format to provide action on three days of the weekend. On the Sprint weekends, there is one practice session less and the traditional qualifying is shifted to Fridays.

WATCH STORY: What Are Sprint Races & Where Will They Be Held?

What are the Sprint Qualifying Rules before the Brazilian GP?

As reported by Formula1.com, the F1 Sprint would be 30 mins or 100kms race on Saturday. The grid formed at the end of the format will be the grid for the main race on Sunday.

Some rules for the F1 Sprint before the Brazilian Grand Prix:

1. The normal qualifying format will form the starting grid for the F1 Sprint Qualifying. The F1 Sprint will form the grid for the main race at the end of the session.
2. The teams can choose their own tires for the event.
3. The Park Ferme for the teams closes after the FP1 on Friday afternoon. The teams are not allowed to make changes to the setup of the car approaching the traditional qualifying.
4. At the end of the Sprint, drivers finishing in Top-3 would be awarded points. 3 points for P1, 2 points for P2, and 1 point for P3.
5. On Sprint weekends, there would be only two practice sessions. One before the tradition qualifying on Friday and the other before the Sprint on Saturday.

READ MORE: The F1 Points System Explained

What is the future of the F1 Sprint in 2022?

This will be the third and final sprint weekend of the year. But F1 Managing Director Ross Brawn mentioned that there could be six sprint races in the 2022 season.

“We’ve in principle agreed with the teams that we will look toward six (sprint) events for next year,” said Brawn.

“Our view is that we should take some progressive steps for next year, but not radical steps. That’s partly because we have the new car coming along and everyone needs to settle down with the new car … we need to see the impact of the new car,” said Ross Brawn.

The F1 Sprint is here to stay in F1. We hope that the final Sprint Qualifying in Brazil provides the same amount of drama as its previous two editions.