“We are in favour,” Ferrari extends its support for the new 2023 sprint race format

“We are in favour,” Ferrari extends its support for the new 2023 sprint race format

Mattia Binotto

Sprint races were introduced to F1 in 2021. Three weekends featured the sprint races, and thus an overall change in the regular format of the qualifying as the sprint races determined the order for the Sunday’s race. The sprint races have undergone a few changes since the last season, a new point distribution method is the most prominent of all.

Next year, F1 plans to host six sprint races instead of three, and Ferrari has switched sides, having earlier opposed the idea and now supports the idea. Ferrari’s boss Mattia Binotto, as quoted by the GP Fans, said, “We are in favour because it will give better opportunities for the show and the revenues, so it’s right to support. In terms of costs, it has been discussed, the cost cap, the revenues, what may be worthwhile.”

This year, F1 runs only three sprint weekends. One has already taken place at Imola. The other two will be the Austrian GP and the Sao Paulo GP in Brazil. 

FS Video

Mattia Binotto and Ferrari’s bigger plans

Mattia Binotto and Charles Leclerc
Mattia Binotto and Charles Leclerc

The decision regarding the increment of the sprint races will be taken at the F1 Commission meeting. All the stakeholders are expected to present their opinion on the new format and later vote upon it.

Ferrari, who was earlier opposed to this idea has come around to it. Binotto said, “It [six sprints] is one of the points we will discuss for next year during the F1 Commission [meeting]. It is on the agenda, and it is the intention to run six sprint events. In terms of costs, it has been discussed, the cost cap, the revenues, what may be worthwhile.”

Ferrari and its drivers are also considering presenting several changes to the sprint format. Binotto said, “We have some experience on the sprint race format, and on the current format, there are some ideas, so that will be discussed, and let’s see what comes out.” Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are in to make the sprint race a standalone event, which can be backed by the team as well.

ALSO READ: “Second place was within our reach,” Mattia Binotto blames botched Charles Leclerc’s pitstop