Domenicali wants to increase the number of sprint races
Formula One's CEO and President Stefano Domenicali stated that sprint races have been successful despite initial criticism while he has also revealed that he would increase the number of the 100km races up to eight.
Sprint races made their way into Formula One in 2021. The short races features a distance of 100km and last around 25-30 minutes. The sport introduced the special format in order to provide a short and fast-paced racing spectacle.
The rules that determine the schedule and format of sprint weekends have gone through changes on multiple occasions. For the current season, a new format has been introduced with six locations hosting the 100km dash.
Currently, the Sprint Shootout, which determines the grid for the Sprint, takes place on Friday after the sole practice session.. The Sprint itself is the first event on a Saturday, with points being handed out to the top eight finishers: the winner gets eight points, and the driver in eighth gains one point - the same as in 2023.
The Sprint remains a standalone event that doesn’t affect the starting grid on Sunday. Qualifying for the Grand Prix takes place on Saturday following the conclusion of the race.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Formula One CEO and President Stefano Domenicali said that the initial criticism has proved wrong as the sport has managed to tweak the sprint rules in a way that has led to a better flow over the weekend.
“I remember when we introduced them we had a lot of criticism from the purists – who we need to always listen to, even to the ones who are not happy with it.
“But I feel that now the thing has shifted completely the other way around. I think that the change we've introduced this year is the right one for many reasons – with separate qualifying and parc ferme. The flow is much better today."
The number of sprints was upped to six per season in 2023. Now at 25 percent of the calendar, Domenicali would like to see the proportion increased to a third of all grand prix or eight a year.
“I think that we are not in a position to say that we're going to be like MotoGP, for example, with a full race calendar situation of sprints. But there is margin to grow, maybe for one third of the calendar. That could be a possibility."
Formula One was considering introducing reverse grids to sprint races, but it earned heavy criticism both from drivers and fans. However Domenicali has now insisted that he would be happy to re-open reverse grid F1 Sprint discussions, hitting back at anyone who sees it as "fake" racing.
“There are certain topics that are always quite debatable. We can again discuss if there is the need to reverse the grid, or half of the grid like F2 and F3 are doing.
"So these are always things to keep the mind alive, if I may say, with the intent to keep something always interesting. Personally, I would say, why not? It's a lot of action. It is overtaking.
"You're fighting for points. Some people can say, ‘Oh, it is a fake way of racing.’ Fake? There is nothing fake related to what you believe is the right format to produce great action. So I would be interested to discuss that again," the 59-year-old was quoted as saying by Motorsport.com.
