After three fun and eventful sprint weekends last year, the format returns to Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. But what are the benefits of Sprint, what has happened so far and what’s new?
Before the action this weekend – all live on Sky Sports F1 – we answer some of the key questions about a format that is set to bring even more excitement in 2022.
What exactly is a sprint?
Sprint is the name of the abbreviated Saturday race, which debuted in 2021 and returned in 2022, shaking up the usual weekend format and providing more wheel-to-wheel action with another race.
Effectively a mini version of what we see on Sunday, the pilots race over 100 km – which is one third of the usual distance of the race and in the case of Imola turns into 21 laps – a full sprint for lattice slots for Grand Prix and points for their champion hopes.
Replacing the qualification in Saturday’s slot, we will see Sprint in three more rounds in 2022, starting this weekend. It starts at 15.30 and is live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event, with an increase of 14.30.
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Max Verstappen lost two places in the first lap of the Sao Paulo GP sprint
Max Verstappen lost two places in the first lap of the Sao Paulo GP sprint
How it works?
The 20 pilots start in the order in which they qualified on Friday night – more on that below – and their final positions 100 km later will be the positions in which they line up for the start of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
If you win, you start Sunday’s pole position race; if you are 10th, you start at the same place a day later, while if you encounter a technical problem or crash, you will be behind and left with everything to do.
Are there any points for the sprint?
Yes – and significantly more than last year in one of the key changes.
In 2021, only the top three drivers scored points and there were only a total of six points offered; three for the winner, two for the second and one for the third.
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Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz pulled out the red flag after hitting the barriers in qualifying for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz pulled out the red flag after hitting the barriers in qualifying for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
In 2022, the first eight will score points and the total number of points will increase to 36. The winner will collect eight points, the second place will win seven, and this will continue in descending order to eighth (one point).
The proposed points mean that Sprint is even more important in 2022.
Not only do more drivers – in addition to fighting for the position in the net for Sunday’s race – have a chance of points, but they can now take a total of 34 points in one weekend instead of the usual 26. Moreover, if the driver wins all three Sprints in 2022 which almost leads to victory in the race itself (24). Convenient.
What has happened in the Sprint so far?
The sprint had its critics before its debut in 2021 in Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos – but no one can deny that the new format provided entertainment over the weekend. Max Verstappen won the opening of the British Grand Prix after defeating Lewis Hamilton off the line before Valteri Botas won both the Italian and Brazilian GP sprints for Mercedes, the latter involving an incredible off-road attack from Hamilton.
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Lewis Hamilton’s slow start allowed Max Verstappen to take the lead in the first lap of the British Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton’s slow start allowed Max Verstappen to take the lead in the first lap of the British Grand Prix
Although not directly responsible for the controversy, Sprint also played a role in extremely dramatic moments last year. In Silverstone, Verstappen overtook Hamilton in the sprint, leading the pair to a clash in the first lap of Sunday’s race. Again in Monza, the pair collided the day after the sprint.
In Interlagos, meanwhile, Hamilton’s return driver clashed for the title again on Sunday, with Verstappen fleeing a penalty for driving and Hamilton winning to resume his championship.
What happens to the qualification?
The usual three-part knockout qualifier took place on Friday, not Saturday afternoon.
Max Verstappen led the session, which went normally through Q1, Q2 and Q3, to find the fastest driver and set the line at 1-20 for the Sprint, which then – as mentioned above – set the net for Sunday’s race.
How many practical sessions are there?
There are only two training sessions this weekend, one less than normal, each lasting up to an hour, as it is now in Formula 1 this year.
Exercise one starts on Friday at 12.30 pm and training 2. at 11.30 am on the Saturday before the sprint.
What else is new?
In addition to the additional points, there is a clarification of the pole position for the Sprint 2022 events after complaints from pilots.
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Lando Norris caused the last red flag of qualifying, leaving Max Verstappen behind for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sprint.
Lando Norris caused the last red flag of qualifying, leaving Max Verstappen behind for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sprint.
Last year, the winner of the Sprint race received a pole for the book with records, but the pole is now attributed to the pilot, who determined the fastest time in Q3 in qualifying, as usually happens over the weekend.
So Verstappen has a field and will start in front of the grid for Saturday’s sprint.
However, the pilot who won the sprint will start Sunday’s Grand Prix from first, IE pole position.
Are there pit stops in the sprint?
Although not technically prohibited, there are few stops in the pits, given how short the sprint is.
Unlike the Grand Prix, no tire change is required, and unless the cars are damaged or cracked or rained, don’t expect them to leave the pit lane action between the lights off and the checkered flag.
Drivers are free to drive with any tire compound – hard, medium or soft – as desired.
And the Grand Prix, does that remain unchanged on Sunday?
Emilia Romagna’s 63 Grand Prix tours around Imola are unchanged and are still the main event of the weekend.
This year the lights are at 2 p.m. The accumulation of Sky F1 starts at 12.30.
The usual points apply for the day of the race, this is 25 for the victory (or a maximum of 26 if the winner wins the fastest lap) to one point for 10th place.
Where else will the Sprint weekends be held in 2022?
Austria’s Red Bull Ring will host the next weekend of the Sprint on July 8-10, before the format returns to Interlagos on November 9-11, with three rounds hosting the Sprint again.
F1 had hoped to double the number of sprints to six by 2022, but had to come to terms with a compromise after several of the top teams complained about spending problems amid budget constraints.
Depending on the success this year, expect the Sprint format to be more present in calendars in the future.
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