Wolff and Horner join forces on sprint race proposal
Wolff and Horner join forces on sprint race proposal
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner have both given their approval to Formula 1's sprint race proposal for this season.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali initially met with the 20 drivers in Bahrain on Thursday ahead of pre-season testing to discuss his plans that will see sprint races trialled at three grands prix this year.
It is understood the British, Italian and Brazilian Grands Prix will provide the testbeds for a plan that could come into force next season if they deliver the excitement hoped for and the growth in audience craved.
"Speaking for my team, hearing the opinion, we are probably more on the purist side," said Wolff. "We appreciate the 70-year-old history of a grand prix on a Sunday.
"One thing is for sure that having a little race on a Saturday we will have a large increase in audiences. I've seen it in DTM where we were almost able to double a tv audience with a second race.
"If done in a responsible way, at tracks where you can overtake, without adding too many gimmicks - a reverse grid is absolutely something we wouldn't support - I think we should give it a go.
"Then be really honest with ourselves [and ask] what was the financial impact and the impact on the eyeballs we were able to generate, and what is the show factor?
"There are many pros and cons. I think if we all stick our heads together then we can all find a solution that is of mutual benefit because Formula 1 is what we do together and we need to entertain the people."
Qualifying for a sprint race would occur instead of second practice on Friday, with the event itself replacing qualifying on Saturday. The result would then determine the grid for Sunday's grand prix.
At present, there are numerous details being ironed out, including the points scoring system. The early suggestion is that only the top three will score.
"We're due to have further discussions this weekend about it," said Horner on the meeting with Domenicali and F1 managing director motorsports Ross Brawn.
"The principle, from a promoter's point of view, I understand why they are trying to do it. There are always a million reasons why not to do something, but the concept is interesting.
"The way they are looking at introducing it is reasonably responsible over three events so why don't we try it? Let's give it a go.
"There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes with team managers and sporting directors to ensure the right regulations are in place for it, and hopefully, it will be an interesting spectacle.
"If it's what the promoters want to do then we are happy to support."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 Sprint Qualifying Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 times as Russell eliminated
- 17 minutes ago
F1 Results Today: Chinese Grand Prix practice times as SURPRISE driver tops charts
- 3 hours ago
Another bizarre fire STOPS action at Chinese Grand Prix
- 10 minutes ago
EXCLUSIVE: Hamilton and Ferrari chief had meals together years before 2025 signing
- 40 minutes ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 44 minutes ago
Young F1 star set to make McLaren debut in injury replacement
- 1 hour ago
Related news
F1 reveal remarkable 109m TV audience for Hamilton Verstappen Abu Dhabi showdown
Masi made the right decision in 'heart-pumping' finale - Grosjean
F1 battle of the team-mates
F1's best moments from a chaotic and controversial 2021
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
- 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