In this blog we are going to discuss and explain the elements that make up a Sprint Race weekend. Formula 1 has been experimenting with this type of weekend structure for some time and we are going to see more and more sprint races taking place in the upcoming season in 2023.
Join LV BET as we run through some of the interesting facts about sprint races and what we might expect in the coming season. Make sure to read on the LV BET Sports Blog to get all the latest news about Formula 1.
Format
The normal weekend structure that we have gotten used to consists of two practise sessions on a Friday, the third practice session on Saturday morning followed by qualifying which determines the starting position for the race on Sunday. During the preseleted weekends, the format will be changed to accomodate a sprint race.
F1 Sprint will be a 100km dash with no mandatory pit stops and drivers racing flat-out to the chequered flag. Points will be handed out for the top eight drivers with the first driver to claim the chequered flag being awarded with eight points, second claims seven and it keeps going down till eighth place who earn a singular point. The finishing order of F1 Sprint will continue to define the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix which format remains unchanged.
During a Sprint weekend, practice sessions will be reduced to just two, giving teams less time to fine-tune their machines for qualifying and the races. The first practise session will be held on Friday, with the second slotting in before the sprint on Saturday.
Sprint Races in 2023
The format for the upcoming season will remain the same and the FIA has announced the weekends in which these new format will take place are in:
- Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit which will be held between April 28-30, 2023
- Austria Red Bull Ring which will be held between June 30 – July 2, 2023
- Belgium Spa-Francorchamps which will be held between July 28 – 30, 2023
- Qatar Lusail Circuit which will be held between October 6 – 8, 2023
- United States Circuit of the Americas which will be held between October 20 – 22, 2023
- Sao Paulo Interlagos which will be held between November 3-5, 2023
An important factor in the increase of Sprint races is the allocation of more funds towards teams per sprint race weekend. Last season the cost cap allowance for each Sprint was $150,000 but this will now be doubled to $300,000 – though there will no longer be any further allowance for accident damage sustained in the Sprint events.
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali passed his comments on the decision to increase Sprint races and stated that – ‘’We have seen a hugely positive reaction to the F1 Sprint events during the first two years of its running, and we can’t wait to bring even more action to fans with six event next year, including the first US F1 Sprint in Austin’’.
How will this impact teams
Like any other change to the schedule and weekend structure, teams will surely be affected in a good and bad way. As this will be the first season where we have a relatively high number of Sprint races in the calendar, the effects might not be prevalent yet.
Reliability will be the main factor as car parts are being put to the test more often during these specific weekends. As there is more racing and action on the track in a competitive environment, accidents are more likely to happen and should the car suffer severe damage, the car might not be able to compete in the Grand Prix. Such a factor might instigate teams to inform their drivers not to push too much during the initial stages of the race as it might jeopardize the Grand Prix on Sunday where most of the points are handed out.
More points are up for grabs, so if for example Ferrari have a bad weekend and the car is not performing to it’s usual high level, a lot of points can be lost. This factor will add more entertainment and also adds more opportunities for teams to score points.
We will surely be eager to see how the 2023 shapes up with a lot of exiting new talent in Oscar Piastri, Logan Sargeant and other drivers that changed teams, will they perform from the get go?