F1 Sprint: What is it, and how does it work?

Sam Hall
Monday 18 April 2022 10:40

Formula 1 will begin the first of three sprint weekends at Imola but what are the changes from last year that you should be aware of?

After F1 debuted sprint last year with a trio of trial events at Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos, the sport had hoped to expand the format to feature across six weekends.

With teams unable to agree on terms for this expansion, it was unanimously voted to press ahead with a compromise of just three events for a second year.

But not everything has remained the same from year to year, and GPFans has all the details.

What is the F1 'Sprint' format?

As was the case last year, free practice one will take place on Friday but at a slightly delayed time to a regular weekend.

The session has added importance as the hour of track time is all the teams will have to lock in their set ups for the remainder of the weekend.

A regular three-part qualifying session will then take place with this session deciding the grid for the sprint race only.

In a change to last year, the driver that sets the fastest time in qualifying will be noted in the history books as winning pole position, even though they may not start Sunday's race from pole.

Saturday will see an hour of running for practice two although teams are unable to make substantial changes given that they remain in parc ferme conditions.

Where qualifying would normally be positioned, a 100km sprint race will take place on Saturday afternoon with the result setting the grid for Sunday's grand prix.

Will the F1 'Sprint' winner earn points?

Last year, points were only on offer to the top three with the sprint winner securing three points.

This time around, greater importance has been placed on sprint with points all the way down to eighth in a bid to encourage overtaking in the midfield.

These points drop by one per position, with the victor scoring eight points and the eighth-place finisher receiving just one.

Where will 'Sprint' take place?

The three sprint events this year will be run at Imola, Austria and Sao Paulo, Interlagos the only venue selected to host the format in both years so far.