F1 prepared for the unexpected in maiden sprint qualifying experiment
F1 prepared for the unexpected in maiden sprint qualifying experiment
FIA race director Michael Masi is "absolutely" prepared for a team springing a strategy "we haven't considered" in the maiden sprint qualifying trial.
F1 will complete its first running of a new sprint qualifying format at the British Grand Prix this weekend, the official title for which is simply 'Sprint'.
Any change to regulations inevitably results in teams uncovering unexpected quirks but Masi has acted quickly to reassure fans he is prepared to shut down any loopholes that may be exposed on Saturday.
Asked about his preparedness, Masi said: “I think we have been very fortunate in the way that it has been an absolutely collaborative approach since the start of the year.
"We’ve had numerous meetings involving all the teams sporting directors, ourselves at the FIA and obviously F1 in developing, refining, leaving things for a week, letting everyone have another re-read and finding little bits and pieces.
“And everyone, to be fair, has a completely open mind that there may be things crop up that no one has thought of from any of us but also an open mind that after the first event, let’s happily review internally and see what did work, what didn’t work, are there areas that need to be refined?
“Quite honestly, with everyone involved, it is something new for all of us – particularly in an F1 capacity. The regulations traditionally have been structured in a very specific format around a grand prix taking place without a sprint qualifying area happening.
"So everyone is quite open and has said that we all just need to work together and see what pops up that we haven’t considered, as much as everyone has read them [the regulations] inside out.”
How will 'Sprint' work?
The weekend timetable will be altered from the regular offering of recent years. Pracitce one remains in position on Friday, although later in the day, with the regular three-part qualifying taking place that evening.
On Saturday, a second practice session begins the day and is followed, in the placing usually filled by qualifying, with the 100km 'Sprint' to set the grid for the grand prix proper.
Sunday remains unchanged.
For the Silverstone weekend, you can find the full schedule here.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 2025 Driver Lineup: Big names on the move as half the grid reshuffles for next season
- 44 minutes ago
Haas announce Hulkenberg EXIT as F1 star's new team confirmed
- Today 11:27
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- 3 hours ago
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
- Today 12:59
F1 News Today: Red Bull star set to QUIT team as F1 driver role CONFIRMED for 2025
- Today 12:38
F1 team set to axe BOTH star drivers
- Today 12:05
Related news
British Grand Prix fate sealed in MASSIVE F1 announcement
F1 British Grand Prix 2024: Full guide and ticket details for Silverstone spectacular
Brad Pitt's F1 blockbuster film hits SETBACK after British GP filming
Wolff DEMANDS 'no stone unturned' at Mercedes to stop Red Bull dominance
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