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A number of cars closely race together, while a fish swims alongside

F1 star gives bizarre 'fishy' verdict over sprint weekends

A number of cars closely race together, while a fish swims alongside — Photo: © LAT Images

F1 star gives bizarre 'fishy' verdict over sprint weekends

He has aimed some unusual criticism at the current format

Sam Cook
Digital Journalist
Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023
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Carlos Sainz has aimed an unusual criticism at F1 sprint weekends, as confusion around the format of the events going forward continues.

The Ferrari star believes there's 'definitely something fishy' going on with the current format, criticising sprint races for robbing some of the excitement of the main race.

Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a main race throughout 2023, when he claimed victory at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Spaniard did, however, struggle near the end of the season with sprint events such as Qatar and Brazil providing the Ferrari man with some difficulty.

F1 have confirmed that sprint race formats will change ahead of the new season, but what that may look like is still unknown.

George Russell recently slammed the idea of a reverse grid order, while David Croft believes that there should be a separate world championship for sprint races.

Carlos Sainz was the only man to beat Red Bull in a main race in 2023
Carlos Sainz was the only man to beat Red Bull in a main race in 2023
George Russell has recently spoke out about the sprint race format
George Russell has recently spoke out about the sprint race format
Sprint races were introduced in 2021
Sprint races were introduced in 2021

F1's sprint race conundrum

Now, Sainz has had his say, not necessarily advocating a new idea, but admitting that something does need to change.

"I don't like the format and I don't have the impression that it works," he said in quotes reported by Sky Germany.

"The sprint anticipated what will happen on Sunday.

“If the sprint robs the grand prix of the excitement, then that's it definitely something fishy."

READ MORE: F1 reveals 2024 sprint races after calendar controversy

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F1 Ferrari Carlos Sainz Singapore Grand Prix

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