F1 Azerbaijan GP: Max Verstappen repeats his demand towards FIA to ‘scrap’ sprint races after Baku disappointment

The new format is drastically different from the traditional one, and Max Verstappen hates it

Max Verstappen (Credits: F1RACINGNEWS)

The race weekend at Baku saw a deviation from the default format, with a sprint race being included. A different format, contrary to the past, also accompanied this sprint. Qualifying on Friday sets the grid for Sunday’s race, while the sprint has a separate sprint shootout to set up its own grid. This format has been met with mixed feelings by the paddock and fans alike.

Max Verstappen has endured a weekend with more adversities than he is accustomed to so far. The Dutchman had to settle for P2 on Friday and only managed P3 during the sprint shootout. His sprint race did not improve, as he was involved in an incident with George Russell on lap 1. Despite sustaining damage, the Dutchman fought back to secure P3.

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When asked on his opinion on the format by Speedcafe, Verstappen responded, “Yeah, just scrap the whole thing. I think it’s just important to go back to what we have, and make sure that every team can fight for a win, that’s what we have to try and aim for and [not] try to implement all this kind of artificial excitement.” This refers to the backmarker teams, who have nothing to gain from the sprint race, while enduring potential damage.

He added, “I would say I got bored through today’s Qualifying to be honest. I like to have one particular Qualifying, where you just put everything in it, and that was yesterday, which I of course enjoy, and then they have to do it again today. I’m like, ‘my God, another qualifying?’ I just don’t really enjoy that.” Verstappen is a fan of the default format and is not in favor of the new one implemented at Baku.

Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen via FIA.com

The Dutchman has been highly critical of the new weekend structure. However, there is some conformity with other drivers in this regard. The likes of Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, and Alex Albon have also openly stated their preference being the normal weekend format that everyone is accustomed to.

Charles Leclerc said, “I wouldn’t want this to be the standard format in the future. I think it’s fine if we have three, four races like that in a year. As Checo said, I think it puts a lot more pressure on the drivers because basically there’s only one session where you can make a mistake which is FP1.” He is also not a fan of the tire restrictions this new format accompanies, which hinders the qualifying pace.

Sprint Shootout? I want to watch a GP, stop wasting my time. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The GP format worked. The GP race is supposed to be special, I wonder now. It seems GP part 1 and 2. I’m quickly losing interest. See the whinging Kid was at it again.
— Noel Halton (@NoelHalton) April 29, 2023

Sergio Perez shared his view and said, “I think if we don’t want this to become a standard weekend. I think what we have in a normal weekend makes it really exciting and better for fans, and this is what we’ve grown up with, and it’s how it should stay,”. He values the importance of sticking to the traditional format and what works.

Alex Albon was much more direct in his view, stating on the team radio, “Well, this is such a s**t format. Top 8 are the top 4 teams. It’s boring.” His words, although harsh, come with some truth. The new format means the sprint doesn’t offer much to teams that run predominantly at the back of the grid. With the reduced number of laps, it doesn’t give them an opportunity to capitalize on mistakes and register a positive result. It also does not allow them to move further up the grid on Sunday’s race, now set for Friday.

Max Verstappen is clearly not a fan of the new Sprint Shootout ? pic.twitter.com/ZYbJPLBi7f
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) April 29, 2023

The FIA may have introduced this new format to make the weekend more action-packed and exciting for viewers. While the viewers get what they desire, it is more tedious for drivers, coming with increased risks of damage. As Albon said, it doesn’t benefit any teams outside the top 4, and it also overcomplicates the race strategy due to the rules of tire use during Qualifying.