Formula 1 is set to introduce a new format for sprint qualifying starting from the third round of the season, which will take place in Imola, Italy. The format, which was agreed upon earlier this year, will consist of a shortened qualifying session that will be held on Friday, followed by a sprint race on Saturday. The results from the sprint race will then set the grid for the main race on Sunday.
Formula 1 Teams Finalize Regulatory Details for New Sprint Qualifying Format
The teams have given their full support to the introduction of the new format and have been working closely with the FIA to finalize the regulatory details. This includes the sporting directors in the sporting advisory committee who will check and test the rules before they are ratified ahead of each round.
Various potential formats have been under discussion, with some suggesting a one-lap qualifying format. However, this has been abandoned due to timing software complications. Instead, the plan for sprint weekends is to have normal race qualifying on Friday after FP1, with the grid set in stone and no impact from the sprint result.
Sprint Qualifying Will Take Place on Saturday with Slightly Shortened Format
Sprint qualifying will take place on Saturday with a slightly shortened version of the usual three-session format. Teams want to keep a lid on the number of laps that power units are run in qualifying modes during the weekend because of limited sets of tyres available. Complicated issues have to be addressed such as tyre allocation and parc ferme rules.
Technical penalties such as PU changes will continue to apply to the main race while sporting penalties incurred in the sprint are applied to the sprint. A driver who incurs a grid penalty for triggering an incident in the sprint is likely to serve it in the next sprint rather than in the following day’s main race.
Formula 1 Teams Set to Vote for Shakeup of Sprint Race Weekend Format
In addition to the new sprint qualifying format, Formula 1 teams are set to be invited to vote for a shakeup of the sprint race weekend format. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has proposed adding a second qualifying session to the sprint race format. The idea is to create separate qualifying sessions for both the sprint and the main grand prix.
The sprint qualifying may be a single-car time trial format, leaving just one practice session for the weekend. The hope is to rush the format change through in time for the next race at Baku; however, an unanimous team vote is required for the plan to go forward. Red Bull and McLaren bosses have expressed concerns about the format change.
Red Bull’s Performance and Concerns Heading into Australian Grand Prix and Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Red Bull came into the season as one of the favorites, but nobody expected them to perform as well as they have. They have won the opening two meetings of the season with two one-two victories, and Max Verstappen leads his teammate Sergio Pérez by one point in the drivers’ championship.
Red Bull’s car is currently the fastest on the field, with Ferrari and Aston Martin lagging behind. Mercedes can only hope to move closer to the front runners. However, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, is concerned about operating under F1’s cost cap and wind tunnel usage reduction imposed as punishment for breaking the cap last season.
Horner called F1’s decision to hold the first of this season’s six sprint races in Baku “ludicrous” due to the high risk of car crashes on the high-speed street circuit. The sprint race format has been met with mixed results and is currently being discussed for potential revisions before the Baku Grand Prix.
Horner, along with some fellow team principals, including McLaren’s Zak Brown, are concerned about the potential cost to teams of holding a sprint race in Baku. However, despite these concerns, Horner indicated that Red Bull will be voting ‘yes’ for the proposal to add a second qualifying session to the sprint race format.
In conclusion, Formula 1 fans are eagerly anticipating the new sprint qualifying format, and the potential shakeup of the sprint race weekend format. With Red Bull’s dominance in the early part of the season, coupled with their concerns heading into the Australian and Azerbaijan Grand Prixs, it promises to be an exciting season ahead.
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