General
OFFICIAL: Formula 1 teams finally agree on the arrival of sprint races
- GPblog.com
The idea of introducing sprint racing has been around for a while, but at the beginning of this season Formula 1 finally made concrete plans to actually do it. The teams were also positive about it, but in regards to the finances there was some disagreement. This has now been resolved.
The idea had been in the making for some time, but on Monday the FIA announced it: a total of three sprint qualifying sessions will be held in 2021. These will most likely take place once at Silverstone, once at Monza and at a non-European race to be determined. The FIA made this known in a statement.
On Friday, after the first free practice, a qualifying session will be held in the 'normal' format. This qualification will determine the grid for the sprint qualification on Saturday afternoon. The sprint qualifying will determine the final grid for the Grand Prix on Sunday. Only the men on the podium in the sprint qualifying will receive points on Saturday. Number one gets three points, number two gets two and the last point goes to the number three.
Domenicali and Todt are pleased
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali is delighted with the new format and believes it will bring fans even closer to the action. "Seeing the drivers battling it out over three days will be an amazing experience and I am sure the drivers will relish the fight. I am delighted that all the teams supported this plan," he said.
FIA president Jean Todt is also pleased with the new development in Formula 1. "I am pleased to see that Formula 1 is seeking new ways to engage with its fans and enlarge the spectacle of a race weekend through the concept of Sprint Qualifying," he revealed.