F1 prepared for the unexpected in maiden sprint qualifying experiment

British Grand Prix

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F1 prepared for the unexpected in maiden sprint qualifying experiment

F1 will trial its first 'sprint' at Silverstone

Sam Hall

Wednesday 14 July 2021 11:53

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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.

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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.