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Formula 1’s divisive sprint events will form almost a quarter of the 2023 calendar and could yet get a significant makeover.
F1 has not given up on changing the sprint weekend format next year, to make the shorter distance race a standalone enterprise.
Currently on sprint weekends qualifying takes place on Friday and sets the grid for a 100km race on Saturday.
The result of that sprint race then sets the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
This format only exists in its current guise because F1 could not introduce the radical reverse grid sprint idea it wanted to begin with, and bigger changes have been on the agenda for some time.
So far this year F1’s priority has been confirming an expansion of the sprints to six events instead of three, something that faced FIA pushback at first.
Now that has been agreed F1 is working on which grands prix should host those sprints.
In addition, though, the matter of overhauling the sprint and separating it from the rest of the weekend remains part of discussions.
While it may not happen in 2023 it is at least possible.
F1 increased the number of points available for a sprint race this year to try to add more value to more of the leading positions, as the races have tended to feature little overtaking with many teams and drivers taking conservative approaches to avoid risking a big loss of grid positions for the main race.
The intention is to go further though.
One problem with the current format is that a second practice session is held on Saturday before the sprint.
But as parc ferme conditions set in after qualifying, only very limited changes can be made to the car for this session, the sprint or the Grand Prix.
This renders FP2 a data collection exercise of relatively limited value, and the session has been highlighted by fans, teams and drivers as the weakest part of the format.
Theoretically the switch to a standalone sprint event could address this, if the sprint had its own qualifying session.
In this format Friday would stick with a combination of practice and qualifying for the Grand Prix, then Saturday would feature another qualifying session for the sprint and the sprint itself.
More points would likely be awarded and drivers would, in theory, have more emphasis to attack in the sprint because there would be no consequence for the main event on Sunday, with the exception of the risk of massive accident damage.
This has been raised with teams and will form part of further discussions, most likely once the venues for the six sprints are confirmed in the coming weeks.
