Vettel opposed to sprint races: "It makes no sense"

What is the point?

At the presentation of the new Aston Martin on Wednesday, Vettel was asked for his opinion on the sprint races. The German is very clear: "it makes no sense". For now the concept is that there will be a qualifying session on Friday, which will determine the starting order for the sprint race on Saturday. The result of that race will then form the starting grid for the official Grand Prix.

Vettel does not believe in this concept, he told Motorsportweek.com: "I don’t know what’s the thinking behind it. I don’t like it,” said the four-time World Champion. Why would you have a pre-final to a final? What’s the point of that? I don’t understand it. Obviously, if there is a race on Saturday then I will have to take part because I still want to drive on Sunday but from my point of view it makes no sense."

"You have the grand prix and it’s always been run 300km and the main challenge of the weekend. I think if you have to introduce something like this (sprint race) then there’s something else you need to fix rather than the format – another race, or Q4 or Q5 or whatever it is. It’s shifting or taking the focus away from the real problem. It’s more of a patch rather than really a fix."

There are bigger problems

Lance Stroll also commented, saying the idea is not ridiculous, but that Formula 1 should focus on the bigger and more fundamental issues rather than changing the format.

"I think there’s bigger fundamental issues that the sport has to address. It could be great, I’m not against the idea, it’s not ridiculous. But it’s one of those things, like every regulation or format change, it’s always a question mark until we try it, to see how it impacts the sport."

It is exactly the latter that Formula 1 wants to test this year, and then it will automatically become clear whether it is an added value or not.