The number of these events doubles compared to 2022 but the format remains the same: a sprint race of about half an hour and 100 km, organized on Saturday and whose result gives points to the first eight classifieds and defines the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Formula 1 says it has chosen the circuits “most adapted to the F1 Sprint format, taking into account the possibilities of overtaking, tight races and high-speed sections” to “guarantee competitive action for fans throughout the three days of the end of week”.
During a sprint weekend, the classic time trial classification is brought forward from Saturday to Friday and defines the starting grid for the sprint race on Saturday.
Thanks to this system, F1 seeks, first of all, to monetize the whole of a weekend, both in the stands and through media coverage and especially on Fridays, which are normally dedicated to the first free practice sessions, with little sports challenge.
Despite the criticism from some pilots and the most purist fans, the discipline ensures that The format, introduced in 2021 for the first time, allows “to attract fans and increase audiences.”
Although the rules have not changed for the moment, discussions are still taking place about what could be adopted in the future. The sprint could, for example, become an independent event, therefore without consequence on the starting grid of the Grand Prix.
Austria and Brazil have already held a sprint, unlike the other four circuits, for whom it will be a first. The small particularity is that the first sprint on a street circuit will take place on April 30 in Baku.
The six sprint races in 2023:
– Baku, Azerbaijan (April 30)
– Spielberg, Austria (July 2)
– Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (July 30)
– Lusail, Qatar (October 8)
– Austin, United States (October 22)
– Interlagos, Brazil (November 5)