F1 reveal finalised sprint race plans for 2023 and beyond

Ian Parkes
Tuesday 27 September 2022 17:59 - Updated: 11:38

F1 has finally confirmed there will be six sprint races on all future calendars, starting in 2023.

The sprint was unveiled to mixed reviews last season as Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos held the one-third race distance event on Saturday afternoon with varying degrees of success.

Three events have again been held this season, at Imola and the Red Bull Ring, and with Interlagos again staging the last in mid-November.

F1 had hoped to have staged six races this year, with all 10 teams agreeing to the proposal.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, however, put the brake on the matter as he looked into the long-term viability and validity of the sprints.

But it has now been confirmed that following further discussions with the FIA, the World Motor Sport Council has formally voted to agree to the six-sprint calendar.

The venues for next year will be confirmed at a later date.

F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali said: “I am pleased that we can confirm six sprints will be part of the championship from 2023 onwards, building on the success of the new format introduced for the first time in 2021.

"The sprint provides action across three days, with the drivers all fighting for something right from the start on Friday through to the main event on Sunday - adding more drama and excitement to the weekend.

"The feedback from the fans, teams, promoters, and partners has been very positive and the format is adding a new dimension to Formula 1, and we all want to ensure its success in the future.”

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “The confirmation that six race weekends featuring the sprint will take place from the 2023 championship season onwards is another example of the continued growth and prosperity at the highest level of motor sport.

"Thanks to close collaboration with Stefano Domenicali and our colleagues at FOM, we concluded a thorough analysis on the impact of additional sprint sessions, and have adjusted relevant parameters of our work to ensure that they continue to be regulated at the very highest level.

"Sprint sessions provide an exciting dynamic to the race weekend format and have proven to be popular over the past two seasons.

"I am sure that this positive trend will continue and am pleased that the World Motor Sport Council has today given its approval for them to go ahead.”