Formula 1 is evaluating the idea of hosting a post-season sprint race that would take place after the usual Pirelli tire tests following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sprint races were introduced into Formula 1 in 2021, and have remained in the sport ever since despite the structure of how they are incorporated into the weekend.
There are only a certain number of race weekends that use the sprint race, with the 2024 season having the event in China, Miami, Austria, Texas, Brazil, and Qatar.
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The races offer extra world championship points to the drivers and teams with points scored for any driver who finishes in the top eight as opposed to the top 10 in a standard Grand Prix.
However, there appears to be a new use for the sprint race format and discussions that began at the most recent F1 Commission meeting between series bosses and team principals have resulted in a very interesting proposal.
Speaking ahead of the Grand Prix in Monza, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed plans to host a 'rookie only' sprint event following the conclusion of the season.
“There is a project on the table, namely the possibility of organising a sprint race for young drivers in Abu Dhabi,” he said via Autosport.
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“We are reflecting on how to give young people the opportunity during the Yas Marina test to shine and gain experience - not only by driving in the test but also in a competitive context.
“It would certainly help their training, aimed at making them prepared for the next step. We will talk about it in detail by the end of September to understand the feasibility of this idea," he concluded.
Rookies always get an opportunity during the post-season tests, with teams forced to use at least one driver with less than two F1 Grand Prix under their belt.
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However, there is a major difference between driving an F1 car in a test or practice session compared to a fully competitive race with 20 cars on track.
With all the factors that come into play to organise a Formula 1 race it may ultimately be a step too far for 2024, but that does not mean the idea cannot come back for 2025 and beyond.
Tom Jenkins