Sprint races with points: "They only go to Mercedes and Red Bull"

Sprint races in F1

The Formula 1 format has been the same for years. On Friday and Saturday, there are three practice sessions, followed by a qualifying session. On Sunday the main race, after which it's off to the next weekend. However, Formula 1 wants to try something new, and in 2021 will introduce a format where the starting order for the grid on Sunday is determined by a sprint race.

"It's a really great thing that F1 are trying new things. And that the teams have all found a way to agree on something because that hardly ever happens. They're trying something new and that's a good thing. If we stick with the way Formula 1 has always been, as an industry and entertainment spectacle, we get left behind. The world moves forward and how people consume content changes. I know there are hardcore race fans out there that just love the traditional format but there's newer young fans coming in with a fresh set of eyes," says Priestley in His new video.

Points for Red Bull and Mercedes

So the former McLaren mechanic is happy with the new format, although he looks at the fact that points are given for it. "I'm up for it, but my first feeling is we definitely shouldn't be giving points for it because that just means you're giving points to Red Bull/Mercedes whoever is dominating at that time. It's very unlikely that in such a short race there will be a mixed-up order unless there is a big crash. The points will go to Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and one other," he added.

"Maybe they will take more risks to get a better race start on a Sunday. But until we try it, we just don't know."