Formula 1 to stick to three sprint races for 2023 season

Formula 1 to stick to three sprint races for 2023 season

The start of the F1 sprint race of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend,.

The sprint format was introduced to Formula 1 in 2021, with three taking place at Silverstone (Britain), Monza (Italy), and Interlagos (Brazil). Sprint weekends mean that there are two ‘races’ in the weekend with should potentially mean more excitement, but it also means that there are only two practice sessions, one of which is used almost exclusively for the sprint, which means data collection is compromised.

Fan and driver reactions are rather mixed regarding the format. Some welcome the excitement, such as Daniel Ricciardo, who feels there is more purpose to each session on sprint weekends. On the other hand, strategy options for sprints are limited, pit stops are highly unlikely in most cases, and even passes for the lead are, as the only pass for the lead in a sprint yet has been Max Verstappen’s late pass on Charles Leclerc in Imola this year.

Toto Wolff believes that it is the performance gap between the teams that makes the sprint races less exciting. Recently, there were rumours that Formula 1 may have six sprint races in 2023, but it seems that will not happen after all – and the number of sprint races on the calendar is set to stay the same.

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Stefano Domenicali’s proposal for six sprint races fails

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battling at the start of the Imola sprint

As reported by Speedweek, Stefano Domenicali has said: “We believe that a GP weekend is upgraded with a sprint.” and it was reported that he was the driving force behind the potential six sprint races for 2023, but it will not happen now, as he appears to be in the minority.

While Domenicali would have needed the approval out of 8 out of 10 teams to go ahead with the sprint race proposal, it seems that some team bosses did not agree with him. Apparently, they demanded more money in line with the more sprint races, and so, Formula 1 will have three sprint races for 2023.

While it is possible that the sprint races may expand in the following seasons, there is no assurance of such a change happening – as Domenicali will still need to convince the teams. As for 2023, there will be only three sprint races, as approved by the FIA in the sporting regulations for next season.

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