After the first three sprint races were held in 2021 in Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos, this year they will be held in Imola this weekend, Red Bull Ring and again in Brazil.
Changes have been made for 2022, dropping the “qualification” from the name, no longer mixing the winner of the sprint with a winning pole position and points are awarded to eighth place.
Despite the updates, criticism continues that because the result of the sprint race determines the network for the full grand prize by paying points on Sunday, there is a reduced incentive for the risk of overtaking.
Motorsport.com understands that F1 is therefore considering turning the sprint race into a stand-alone event for next season.
This could lead to Friday’s qualifiers, which determine the grid for both Saturday and Sunday races, and the sprint will only reward points to increase how many drivers fight each other.
Current points leader Charles Leclerc backed the proposal. The Ferrari driver said: “It could be something.
“This will help us take a little more risk, maybe during the sprint qualifiers, without losing too much on Sunday – in case you make a mistake.
“It could add a little value to the excitement for Saturday. That might actually be a good idea.”
Valteri Botas, Mercedes, 1st place, on the podium after the sprint
Photo: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Ahead of last year’s Italian GP sprint race, F1 Managing Director of Motor Sports Ross Brown put forward the idea of turning Saturday’s race into a stand-alone event.
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Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, who will take part in his first sprint race this weekend after spending last season at the IMSA SportsCar Championship, also backed Friday’s qualifiers by setting both bars.
He said: “I think the idea of qualifications is a good proposal. If qualifying on Friday meant a position in the net for Sunday, and also for the sprint race, it could be a lot of fun.
“You add another spectacular point to the weekend… you can totally achieve it in the sprint race.”
The Dane added that the current format puts pilots in “complicated thinking” as they choose between fighting for the track position but risking a crash to start the Grand Prix from behind.
However, Aston athlete Lance Stroll said he preferred to keep the current format, citing the benefits of the current balance between risk and return.
He said: “I like how it is. There are points and there is a risk / reward. I thought that was the whole idea of the sprint race – to make it interesting for the fans.
“I think it’s good to see pilots, who may be behind, fighting for positions on Sunday.
“And if you start from the front, you may not like it that much. But that’s right. I wouldn’t want to see that change.
“I think if it’s going to be a sprint, it might be a good sprint that puts pressure on Sunday.”
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