'F1 and team bosses close to agreement on sprint format: one point left'

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Near agreement between F1 and team bosses on sprint racing
20 January at 19:00
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  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

It has been known for some time that the current format for sprint weekends is going to be changed. What exactly will change has not yet been announced. However, Formula 1 and team principals are said to have reached an agreement, with the exception of one point still under discussion.

'F1 and teams still in talks over reverse grid'

This week, Formula 1 would discuss the new format of sprint weekends with team bosses, German magazine Motorsport Aktuell reports. What is already established is the new sequence of F1 sessions: free practice first followed by qualifying for the sprint race, with the sprint race on Saturday morning and qualifying for the main race in the afternoon, followed by the Grand Prix on Sunday.

One point still under discussion is the reverse starting order. There would be two ideas on the table for a so-called 'reversed grid': either the whole grid would be reversed for the sprint race, or just the top ten. However, that would significantly reduce the added value of the Sprint Shootout.

There are several possible solutions to this, according to various rumours: for instance, points could be handed out for sprint qualifying, or the reversed grid could be determined based on the world championship standings. Whether the reversed grid will happen at all remains to be seen, as by no means all teams are fans of this idea.