2023-04-25 16:17:34
A few days before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Formula 1 presented its new sprint format. In the so-called “Sprint Shootout” on Saturday, a qualifying session will be held first, which will then be used for the starting grid for the sprint that will take place shortly followingwards. Qualifying on Friday counts for the Grand Prix on Sunday. A commission with all ten teams decided on the change unanimously on Tuesday in Geneva.
Saturday’s qualifying sessions will last 12, 10 and 8 minutes respectively. Medium tires must be used in SQ1 and SQ2, and then a soft set in the decision in SQ3. The only practice session of the race weekend takes place before qualifying on Friday.
A total of six sprints are planned this season, the first of which is this weekend in Azerbaijan. There will also be a sprint at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg (June 30th to July 2nd), as well as in Spa, Qatar, Austin and Sao Paulo. As usual, the top eight drivers receive points for the World Championship classification.
Due to the rule change, more risk is expected from the pilots in the sprint races, which usually last regarding half an hour. In the 2021 season, sprints were introduced in the premier class of motorsport. A qualifying on Friday counted until the very end for the 100 km sprint race on Saturday, the final result of the shorter race then determined the starting grid for the main race on Sunday.
sport/mixed/72871398.xml"/> 1682440048
#Sprint #format #Saturday #dedicated #qualifying
