F1 to approve sprint qualifying races, Turkey to replace Canadian GP

De startgrid van de race op Silverstone in 2020. — Photo: © LAT Images

F1 Commission

F1 to approve sprint qualifying races, Turkey to replace Canadian GP

F1 Commission meets to discuss proposals

Ian Parkes

Monday 26 April 2021 13:30

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The F1 Commission is set to finally approve the introduction of sprint qualifying races for this season at its latest meeting on Monday.

GPFans Global also understands the Commission is to discuss the likelihood that a Turkish Grand Prix will replace the soon-to-be-cancelled race in Canada.

The Commission comprises the 10 teams, F1 and the FIA, with 28 votes out of 30 required for a proposal to be approved.

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The teams carry a vote each, whilst the FIA and F1 have 10 apiece. All participants have up to 48 hours to cast their vote, although a decision is expected swiftly on this topic.

The possibility of sprint qualifying races to improve the show has long been debated, and while there has been scepticism from a number of drivers and the teams have been keen to resolve the financial ramifications, a positive outcome is expected.

Only recently, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff remarked: "We simply haven't got the margin to go for it and then find out there is an extra half-a-million pounds or more that we have to find for the budget cap.

"That could mean looking at people again [in terms of making redundancies] and that is not where we want to go anymore."

At the recent Emilia Romagna GP, Mercedes was left counting the cost of a violent crash involving Valtteri Bottas and Williams' George Russell, and that any further incidents would have a severe impact on the budget cap.

It is understood that Liberty Media has agreed on a financial package with the teams to cover the cost of the additional three races.

The trio of events are scheduled for the British, Italian and Säo Paulo Grands Prix, although the latter event, in particular, is subject to the Covid-19 pandemic due to the ongoing rise of cases in Brazil.

Canada's pandemic problems are due to lead to it announcing it can no longer stage its race in mid-June, which has resulted in F1 being forced to seek an alternative venue.

Following its successful return last season, Turkey is poised to be confirmed as the replacement ahead of the Nürburgring.