The FIA Formula 1 Globe Championship introduced Saturday sprint races in 2021, initially named “Sprint Qualifying” to distinguish it from the key race on Sunday. The new format was divisive and baffling for admirers. Traditional qualifying was however held to decide the beginning order for the sprint race, but the sprint’s success would then set the Sunday beginning grid and the dash race winner was credited with a pole placement. So, F1 has now made a decision to make the sprint race a standalone occasion within just a Grand Prix weekend.
In circumstance you skipped it:
Formulation 1’s new Sprint format will see Saturday’s observe session scrapped for a next qualifying session particularly for the sprint race. Friday will even now incorporate a free of charge exercise session and qualifying for Sunday’s race. Saturday will be only devoted to the Dash. The working day will open with the Dash Shootout, the sprint race’s qualifying session, and the Dash alone. The new qualifying session replaces Saturday’s no cost follow session. Sunday will be unchanged.
The Sprint Shootout is an abbreviated version of the present three-spherical knockout qualifying session. The session will not be a 50 %-hour extensive, compared to an hour very long for standard qualifying. The principles condition SQ1 is established to run for 12 minutes, SQ2 for 10 minutes and SQ3 for 8 minutes. There will also be a mandate for tire compound use. Teams will be essential to made use of medium compound tires in Q1 and Q2, and smooth compound tires in Q3.
The structure variations mirror the sprint race format utilised in MotoGP and intend to stimulate aggressiveness on Saturday. Drivers only for a longer period have their Sunday starting up position on the line during the dash race. Although, grid penalties acquired all through the dash race will be applied on Sunday. The new format will see its debut at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.