F1 plotting incredible new race format that would be absolute box office
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali is said to be gearing up for talks with teams, drivers and the FIA on potential changes to the Sprint race format.
The proposals are aimed at injecting fresh excitement to the sport as F1 looks to keep their place at the forefront of racing fans’ thoughts.
Sprint races have already become a polarising addition to the F1 calendar, with six events taking place this season, of which we have already seen four.
What is a Sprint race?
In F1, a Sprint race is a shorter, 100km race, which is designed to add excitement to race weekends.
The minimum length of a Formula One track is 305km, with the Sprint race a far quicker, and shorter, run.
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That said, the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most famous circuits in the world, is an exception, is a shorter distance at 260km given its slower speeds.
The Sprint race has received mixed reactions, but Domenicali is keen to take the event to the next level to garner greater excitement.
“I do believe there are possibilities to extend two things, which we need to discuss, both with the drivers and the teams, and, of course, with the FIA,” Domenicali said in a podcast interview with The Race.
“There are: can we apply that [Sprint schedules] with more races? And is this the right formula to have the possibility to have a reverse grid, as we are doing with F2 and F3?
“These are points of discussion. I think that we are getting there to be mature to make sure that this point will be tackled seriously with the teams.
“The vibes to progress in this direction are definitely growing, and therefore I’m ready to present and to discuss not only more sprints…but if there are new formats, new ideas.”
Domenicali, though, is keen to keep fans in mind with regards to changes, but he’s not afraid to take risks if it means F1 can draw in greater crowds.
“We are open for that, because I think that’s the right thing – to listen to our fans, to try to create something, and not to be worried to do mistakes. The one who believes to do no mistakes doesn’t do anything new," he added.
The F1 CEO also said that Sprints are here stay: “I think that the Sprint, whatever will be the right format, we need to have it. It will represent the future.”
What does Stefano Domenicali mean by reverse grids?
The reverse grid format has been used in F2 and F3 in several years, and it means exactly what it outlines – reversing the grid.
In F2, the top 10 qualifying positions are reversed, meaning that the car the qualifies in first, will start in 10th. The car the qualifies in second, will start in ninth, and so forth.
In F3, with more cars on the field, this means that the top 12 qualifying positions are reversed, and Domenicali hopes for similar in F1.
While a dividing addition to the F1 circuit, the number of Sprint races increasing from three to six this season, Domenicali and his Formula One cohorts are not backing down on the competition, and are instead looking to double down in a bid to boost audience figures.
Ben McAleer