Possibly no sprint races in 2022: 'Big teams try to take advantage'
It could just be that in 2022, instead of six, there will be no sprint races at all. Formula 1 would like to host more sprint races, but the big teams are being very difficult, according to Zak Brown.
In 2021, sprint races were experimented with for the first time in Formula 1. In Britain, Italy and Brazil, a sprint race was held on Saturday as a qualifier for Sunday's race. Reactions were mixed afterwards, but F1 was keen to expand this format to six sprint races in 2022.
No sprint races in 2022?
For that, however, F1 needs permission from a minimum of eight teams, and for the time being it is not getting that. Brown told the BBC that big teams try to take advantage of the plight of F1. The sport does want to compensate the teams with a higher budget cap, but the big teams are trying to exploit that.
''A couple of teams, and one team in particular, wanted a $5m budget cap increase, which was just ridiculous. And no rational facts behind it. When you challenged them, they go to what if and could and you've got to anticipate. You sit there and go 'This is just nonsense', '' says the McLaren CEO.
Big teams trying to take advantage
Which team is involved in this case Brawn does not say, but the big teams he is referring to are normally Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. Mercedes has a partnership with McLaren which in all likelihood would not make Brown speak so much if it were Mercedes, so it's likely going to be Ferrari or Red Bull.
According to Brown, F1 would be better off focusing on 2023. To schedule more sprint races there, the leadership only needs five of the ten teams to vote for the plan. Brown hopes that a compromise will still be found for 2023: ''Otherwise some teams will have some explaining to do to the fans.''
This is a typical case where teams with big pockets has all this abundance of $$ and wants to be able to spend it so that they can produce a really competitive car, but is not allowed to do so because of this cap specified by the FIA, vs the smaller teams who are short of cash and would prefer an even lower cap if possible do that those with money can’t have the advantage compared to themselves.
Just another reality of life comparing the ‘haves’ vs the ‘have nots’
I hope they scrap sprint races. They're crap and over too quickly. Too much extra hassle for nothing.
The sprint races were ok, I think having 6 to price up the season is great.
why do so many people on this blog immediately turn every post into a Max vs LH thing?
BLS most people here have a bias for Lewis.
Nothing wrong with that ,just the way they review race facts and history is abit lopsided .
Lets just leave it at that.
Greets an old Allan Jones fan ?
Good question, probably has to do with most users here are either english or dutch. And the rivalry of this year with actions, crashes, being favored in decisions or not. But I agree it should not always turn into those 2 sides with almost every article.
What do you think is so exciting about the sprint races? I think it does not add anything to F1. It will only create confusion for the main race if something happens to your car with a crash or damage or penalties etc..
Sprintrace only feeds the pockets of the FIA.
I dont like it ,nor do i like Drs or partymode for ICE .
The more that the marketing keeps looking a IndiCar the more it will adapt their ways.
Agree to not liking DRS or partymode or any other artificial things. Hopefully the new cars make racing so much better that DRS can be removed as soon as possible.
And well, at least the Indycar have a great red flag rule while racing, something the F1 should implement as well. Which are the following.
7.1.4.2 c) Unless otherwise approved by INDYCAR, the work permitted on Cars while in the designated location consists of
plugging in a booster battery, applying towels to bodywork, providing the Driver a drink bottle and fan, and placing fans in the radiator boxes and brakes ducts for cooling. Cars must return to their Pit Boxes for any additional work.
7.1.4.2.1. INDYCAR approved work performed on a Car while under a Red Condition, including under Rule 7.1.4.2d, will result in the Car being placed at the rear of the Restarting Lineup.
No, these are the Indycar rules for a red flag situation during a race. Pitlane is closed and no work can be done. If you do under approval of Indycar officials, back of the grid when the race restarts.
In my opinion something the F1 should implement immediatelly.
Yeah true ,just think this is a bridge to far atm .
Stopping the multi motor change of Mercedes (6 instead of 3) etcetera would help allot aswell ;)
It's not just about Silverstone or Imola or that Lewis was favored twice with it during a season. More drivers complain that it's unfair and it is. Max was favored with free tyre change in Jeddah, it happens to all drivers. But in my opinion and maybe more users on here and also drivers, it is a totally unfair thing to allow all work on a car during red flag.
Think Its a very big snakepit.
ie Silverstone, brings back sour memories ..
You have a point and recon that all teams have been asked for their input.
Great, because after every Sprint race Max got extra amatuer-ish, chopping, chasey, driving over heads and violent. That would be a relief for George (Lewis we still have to wait and see) at the moment. Possibly the best news post last lap Abu Dhabi 2021.
Stop the lies please. Monza both were accountable and in Silverstone Lewis made the mistake. In Brazil Max made that 1 mistake in turn 4 for which yes, he could have gotten a penalty, but that is it, nothing else went wrong there.
I hope the sprint races will be stopped, it does not add anything really. Only confusion and irritation, bad decision to have those in F1 in my opinion.
Agreed. The sprint race allowed Hamilton to win Brazil. Had he started last on the grid in GP, I don't think he would have won that race!
I don't care if the sprint race will benefit Max, Lewis, or any other driver. I just think it does not add anything to F1 itself.
My point is it is an unfair advantage to the top teams. Although it is exciting racing, I don't like it either.
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