In 2021, the Formula 1 decided to implement it sprint race to add more excitement to Grand Prix weekends. In the first two years only three appointments were selected, while in 2023 it was extended to six. And just before the start of the first one, in Azerbaijan, Maxima made some variations.
Next, Sports news detail the changes and what the change means sprint shot.
What is a shootout sprint?
In 2021 and 2022, the sprint race weekends were split as follows: a practice plus qualifying on Friday, another practice and sprint race on Saturday plus the traditional race on Sunday. Qualifiers ordered the places for Saturday’s competition, while the result of this marked the grid for Sunday’s date. For example: if a driver had won pole position but was out of contention in the sprint, he would start from the bottom.
This will change dramatically in 2023 following what was announced on Tuesday 25 April. The weekend will be as follows:
- Friday: There will be training and classification. But not the qualifying for the sprint, but for the GP on Sunday. That way Saturday’s result won’t affect what happens the next day.
- Saturday: A new batch of practice sessions is canceled and the sprint shootout will be held, which is nothing but a new ranking for the 100km race. The sprint race will be held on the same day.
- Sunday: As usual, the GP will be held.
The sprint shootout will be shorter than traditional qualifying, with SQ1 lasting 12 minutes, SQ2 lasting 10 minutes and SQ3 lasting 8 minutes. New tires are mandatory for every qualifier, with mediums for SQ1 and SQ2 and softs for SQ3. What will not change is the number of pilots: 20 will start, 15 will continue and 10 will finish.
The class sees this change as a positive and will allow teams to take more risks knowing that their grid position on Sunday will not be at risk.
Introducing… Sprint Saturday ✨
🗓️ Brand new weekend format
👀 The Saturday Sprint sessions do not affect the Grand Prix
⏱️ Friday’s qualifiers determine Sunday’s grid
🆕 New Sprint Shootout qualifying periodThe first Sprint Saturday is just four days away! 📅#F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/vPq9kYuyH4
—Formula 1 (@F1) April 25, 2023
When and what time is the 2023 Austrian GP sprint shootout?
- Day: Saturday, July 1
- Time:
- Mexico (CDMX): 4:00
- United States (ET): 6 o’clock
- Argentina: 7:00
- Spain: 12:00
How many points are awarded in Formula 1 sprint races?
In contrast to what happened in 2021, the year in which only the top three classified in this format received points, from In 2022 F1 introduced changes seeking to increase the groups’ interest in this session.
In this way, the positions that will gain rewards in the form of points have increased significantly. All pilots who finish in the top eight will be able to score through the following system:
- 1st – 8 points
- 2nd – 7 points
- 3rd – 6 points
- 4th – 5 points
- 5th – 4 points
- 6th – 3 points
- 7th – 2 points
- 8th – 1 point
