Saturday sprint races have been the topic of conversation for some weeks now as the new season fast approached.
Stefano Domenicali has been very vocal this year so far about aspects of the usual race weekend that need to be shaken up for more entertainment.
But what exactly are Saturday sprint races and how will they shake the usual weekend schedule up?
Formula one has reportedly been considering the idea of sprint races on a Saturday for some time, and this would see qualifying move to Friday.
Should the idea come to fruition for three weekends this year, qualifying would take place a day earlier, replacing Practice Two on Friday, and that would set the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.
As well as offering reduced championship points for the top eight finishers, the outcome of that shorter race would determine the starting grid for the usual Sunday Grand Prix.
According to reports, the Canadian, Italian and Brazilian GPs have been suggested as the 2021 events where the ‘sprint’ format could be tested out, with a view to using it more widely in the future.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, F1 boss Domenicali revealed;
“We are thinking how to keep the racing format alive in a different way,” he told Sky F1’s Martin Brundle.
“We are talking with the teams because of course, it’s important to have the opinion of the teams but also the stakeholders.
“We are going to have dedicated meetings to prepare the right offer.
“We need to be sure that we don’t lose any opportunity and we need to be sure we are not auto-referential in what we are offering because this would be a big mistake.”
Among those weighing in on the idea was Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff who said;
“Sprint races are an interesting format and an experiment that I believe we need to do.
“In some championships, the audience has almost doubled with action on Saturday and Sunday.
“If we were to do this without some interference to create a fake show it has merit to try. We would be up for it.”
Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel came out to blast the idea saying the idea “makes no sense”.
Speaking with Autosport, the German driver said; “I don’t know what the thinking is behind it.
“I don’t like it. Why would you have a pre-final to a final? What’s the point of that? I don’t understand it.
“Obviously if there is a race on Saturday, then I will have to take part because I still want to drive on Sunday, but from my point of view, it makes no sense.”
Meanwhile, fans have been taking to Twitter to voice their opinion on the matter, and the jury is still out amongst fans it seems – some are obsessed with the idea, wanting a switch-up in the sport, and others attitudes are if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
One wrote; “Suggestion. Get rid of the problem.
“Avoid the sprint races altogether. Present qualification on Saturday – Q1-Q3 – is iconic by itself.”
While another tuned in saying; “I am actually looking forward to sprint races. More action on a Saturday would be great.”
