Max Verstappen brands current F1 sprint race format a ‘CIRCUS’

A new sprint format was introduced to Formula 1 in 2023, while also doubling the number of events the short race format was held at.

Max Verstappen brands current F1 sprint race format a ‘CIRCUS’

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (Via IMAGO)

The 2023 season was accompanied by a new sprint format, with three new weekends incorporating the sprint as well. The format completely changed sprint races, separating them from the qualifying procedure for the full Grand Prix.

The rules for the sprint also brought in some mandatory tire regulations and confusing strategies for qualifying sessions. Max Verstappen deemed the new format to be a ‘circus’, claiming he felt ‘lost’ during the action-packed weekends for sprints.

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Even I can't keep track of exactly what the rules are anymore, which makes me feel lost. It's like a circus.
Max Verstappen said, as reported by RacingNews365

The critique of the updated sprint format isn’t the only time Max Verstappen has said something about the 2023 F1 calendar. The Dutchman also had some harsh words to say about the Las Vegas Grand Prix, though he ceased his criticism of it after winning the event.

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Max Verstappen defends rivals Mercedes and Ferrari for Austin disqualification

Four cars were called in for routine inspection post the United States Grand Prix in Austin, picked at random. Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were among them. Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified for excessive plank wear in a weekend that set-up was rushed due to the new sprint format.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen was against the current system and how it inhibits sufficient practice for teams, as the time allotted to test their set-ups is reduced. The 26-year-old pointed out how a single error could result in detrimental effects to the entire weekend’s results, mentioning Mercedes and Ferrari’s Austin situation.

If you went even slightly the wrong way in FP1, you're stuck with that setup for the rest of the sprint weekend. Take the ride height in Austin. Mercedes and Ferrari didn't set their cars too low on purpose.
Verstappen said, as reported by RacingNews365

The F1 sprint did bring some action to spice up the 2023 season, however effective it might be for the teams. The format brought momentous occasions such as Oscar Piastri’s maiden race win in F1, as the Australian took victory ahead of Verstappen at the Qatar sprint race.

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