General
Liberty Media on sprint racing: "Working on final details"
- GPblog.com
Last season it was suggested to add sprint races to the Formula 1 weekend. Mercedes blocked it at the time, but now it is the intention to test the new concept in 2021. The Silverstone circuit is the designated location, but it is still unclear how the regulations regarding the sprint races will look like.
Formula 1 will return to the UK on July 18, so there is still some time for Liberty Media to iron out the last difficulties. Stefano Domenicali confirmed that not all teams agree with the current format.
Sprint races in Formula 1
"We are working out the final details," Domenicali said in conversation with Radio Anch'io lo Sport. The owners of Formula 1 want a more intense weekend with more spectacle in the hope that this will lead to more interest. "We are aiming for one hour of free practice on Friday and then qualifying for the sprint race, of which ultimately that final result will determine the starting grid for the real race on Sunday."
So the details still need to be put on paper. If everything goes according to plan and people seem to be enthusiastic, Liberty Media will put a full proposal on the table to make it final for 2022. However there are drivers and teams who have been critical of the new plan so it remains to be seen if it will actually come to fruition.
25 Grands Prix in 2023?
The 2021 Formula 1 season has a record number of races with no less than 23. However, it is not inconceivable that two more Grands Prix will be added in the future. "25 GPs is not the goal in the short term, South Africa wants to come back, but we are not discussing for 2022 but for 2023," said Domenicali, Chase Carey's successor as CEO.