Why F1 must make DRASTIC changes to controversial feature
Why F1 must make DRASTIC changes to controversial feature
Formula 1 has had three years to experiment with its sprint format and is yet to experience any success of note.
Whilst it showed glimmers of hope in the middle of an intense title battle in 2021, the last two seasons have proven that the format has potential but the setup is completely wrong.
One of the main issues is that the sport’s very own drivers don’t even like it – how can you expect fans to be engaged with something that paddock personnel aren’t inspired by themselves?
There have been calls in the past for the format to be adapted, and for 2024 the sport has a chance to alter its current arrangements.
READ MORE: F1 reveals 2024 sprint races after calendar controversy
What is the problem with F1 sprint races?
The sprint format is a high-risk, low-reward scenario for most of the teams on the grid.
It’s simply not worth risking millions in damage for the shot at a few extra points, which is why if F1 wants to keep sprints going long-term, they must raise the stakes.
With all sorts of variables involved, such as saving tyres for the Sunday spectacle, most teams don’t see the benefit of the event.
Sunday’s longer races bring more attrition, and naturally mean that teams at the bottom of the order would rather reserve their allocation of tyres for later in the weekend in the hope that they can pick up a point.
Asking them to finish eighth from the back of the grid in a 30-minute dash gives them no hope, and it’s a pretty boring affair for the fans.
As we’ve seen on multiple occasions this year, these races can become nothing but glorified test sessions for half of the field if the cars are sparsely organised on track.
Teams at the front don’t want to risk damage and drivers are willing to take their ‘Sunday drive’ a day early every week.
READ MORE: Russell uses rival F1 teams to attack sprint weekends
How could it be fixed?
The solution is a fairly simple one and is part of the reason why Formula 2’s format has been so successful for the last decade.
Implementing reverse grids would do wonders for the sprint, with drivers forced to take more risk and true championship permutations in order if they would further increase the number of points on offer.
This would also make things somewhat intense for the teams towards the back of the pack who can secure large hauls of points on any given weekend.
All in all, a shake-up to the format by permitting reverse grids and increasing the number of points on offer would only increase fan engagement, make weekends more exciting and do the sport good.
It would also mean that the format wouldn’t have to be outlawed any time soon, buying it more time to prove itself.
READ MORE: F1 sprint 'champion' revealed but Hamilton in SHOCK position
What happens if they decide to leave it?
Fans will grow completely fed up with the sprint format – as they are already showing signs of having done.
The format will fade into irrelevance and eventually disappear forever if it’s left to another few seasons of boring 30-minute instalments, sending fans to sleep and annoying the drivers.
It’s widely known that Max Verstappen isn’t a fan, and after a year where numbers suffered as a result of Red Bull dominance – the sprint has to find a way to deliver before the higher ups decide it simply isn’t worth the fuss.
We’ve seen Kevin Magnussen take a pole position, Oscar Piastri take a maiden victory (of sorts) and Lewis Hamilton stage a dramatic comeback in the midst of a title charge.
So, there’s no reason why there can’t be more of these spectacular moments in the future – and bring them in higher frequency with the opportunity for backmarkers to start at the sharp end of the grid.
READ MORE: F1 champion urges discussion over 'confusing' sprint weekend format
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull boss in Newey 'shame' admission
- 4 minutes ago
F1 Race Week: When and where is the next grand prix?
- 1 hour ago
Wolff issues POSITIVE Hamilton update with upgrades due
- 2 hours ago
F1 News: Marko hints at future Newey rivalry
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Cullen gives 'RED' racing update as Newey deals serious Ferrari blow
- Today 06:57
Newey 'given new team starting date' as HUGE name linked with F1 return - GPFans F1 Recap
- Today 00:27
F1 Race Calendar 2024
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
-
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP CHINA
19 - 21 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP USA
3 - 5 May
Lando Norris
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
- GP CANADA 7 - 9 Jun
- GP SPAIN 21 - 23 Jun
- GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun
- GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul
Related news
F1 Practice Today: Miami Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
F1 Sprint Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
F1 star gives bizarre 'fishy' verdict over sprint weekends
Russell uses rival F1 teams to attack sprint weekends
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- AWS Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860