Former F1 boss reveals major WONDERKID plan to save under-fire feature

Hamilton and Norris lead start of Sprint in Shanghai — Photo: © IMAGO

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Former F1 boss reveals major WONDERKID plan to save under-fire feature

Eddie Jordan has criticised Formula 1 sprint races

Kevin McKenna

Tuesday 21 May 2024 20:57

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A top Formula 1 pundit has suggested one way in which a key element of race weekends could be improved for fans.

The comments come in the wake of last weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, won by Max Verstappen, after the Red Bull star held off a fierce late challenge by recent first-time race-winner Lando Norris in the closing stages to take the chequered flag.

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It was the first race weekend since Round 4 in Japan which didn't include a sprint race, and instead followed the conventional process of practice and qualifying before Sunday's grand prix.

First introduced at the British Grand Prix in 2021, sprint races have become a regular feature on the F1 calendar, with four more still to come this season, following on from the two which have already taken place in China and Miami.

Despite being introduced in a bid to add more drama to the traditional race weekend, as well as providing an opportunity for drivers to score vital points, the value of sprint events has been questioned by F1 pundit Eddie Jordan.

Eddie Jordan has been a vocal critic of sprint races

Max Verstappen won the most recent sprint race in Miami

Plan to improve 'awful' sprint races

Speaking on the Formula for Success podcast, the former F1 team owner expressed his hatred of the concept, but admitting that they are likely here to stay, suggested a way in which they could be improved.

"I hate sprint races, I think they’re awful," he said. "They should be banned with immediate effect.

"However, if we’re going to keep them, can the sprint races please be kept for young drivers who have not completed 10 grands prix?

"Give young drivers like this the chance to compete against themselves so we, the fans, can see what’s about to unfold to us in the future, see what the potential is, give the guys a chance.

"Those who are racing every weekend in karting, Formula 4, or whatever Formula it is, at least give them the belief that they have a chance of making Formula 1."