Red Bull boss Christian Horner rules out sprint qualifying win counting towards F1 records

Horner in Bahrain for pre-season testing — Photo: © LAT Images

Formula 1

Horner rules out sprint qualifying win counting towards F1 records

Sunday's grand prix winner should remain sacrosanct

Ian Parkes

Monday 5 April 2021 07:36

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is adamant any future winner of Formula 1's planned sprint qualifying races should not count towards the record books.

F1 is expected to shortly confirm that sprint qualifying events will be trialled at three grands prix this year at Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos, pending finalisation of the regulations and confirmation of the financial element involved.

In the build-up to the announcement, there has been debate as to the merit of a win and its standing in F1's records, however, Horner is vehemently against the idea.

Asked as to what constitutes a Formula 1 winner, he replied: "It has to be a Sunday afternoon.

"It’s almost like a pre-final, this race concept that you’re winning a qualifying race. Effectively you’re not a grand prix winner.

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"We need to protect the DNA of the sport, the history of the sport. A grand prix winner should only be a guy that prevails on a Sunday afternoon. A pre-final on a Saturday is not a grand prix."

Horner at least feels F1 should go ahead with its three-race trial this year, although he has again highlighted the cost implications for all the teams involved of racing twice per weekend at a time when the teams now adhere to a budget cap in a season when they are also planning for a revolutionary change from next season.

As to his overall feelings, Horner said: "A mixed opinion. It’s something that the commercial rights holder is keen on and if you don’t try things, you never know.

"We’re keen to try to support the commercial rights holder in having a look at it. Is the format right? I mean, it could just be a static Saturday race that creates a static Sunday race, but it’s another start, there’s more jeopardy, etcetera, etcetera.

"I think we have to give it a go. we’re interested to look at it, but what we can’t ignore is that to run and operate these cars is extremely expensive and we need to find a solution how to combat that, in particular, in a season where the budget cap is having a significant impact on how we operate."