The standard Formula 1 weekend comprises of three factors. That being the free-practice, second, the qualifying run that sets out the grid for the main Grand Prix and finally, the Grand Prix itself. But with an added dash of sprint races, introduced with the idea of making F1 more intriguing and a level playing field, fans have warmed up to a new concept as have the twenty drivers from the ten teams.
It’s a mini F1 race held a day prior to an actual F1 Grand Prix. Race after race, isn’t that what we all wanted?
And the 2021 championship already saw three successful installations of the sprint races in F1, with hard-fought contests at Silverstone and Hungary, among the three bringing up some fine results.
In his typically bold and unperturbed approach, Max Verstappen snatched victory in the very first sprint race in F1, one held at Silverstone, which is essentially Lewis Hamilton-territory. Two great drivers engrossed in a closely-fought duel to establish their authority over one another- there was nothing about the sprint races such as the contest at Silverstone that would’ve fed F1’s appalling critics anything uncertain or untoward about the new format’s excitement.
Things have now turned for the better in that the governors of this great sport, i.e., FIA have been wrapping brains as to how soon can F1’s sprint races become a standard feature, if at all. And truth be told, it’s only fair should the sprint races become a standard practice in the top tier of Grand Prix racing.
For starters, they have done their bit, truth be known, in introducing something reinvigorating about the sport we all love and second, the concept has quite simply spurred a newfound sense of contest among all drivers.
If F1 indeed wishes to become more competitive and intoxicating as it’s so often been, then giving a green signal to F1’s sprint races is the right way to go about things.
Meanwhile, the following is what one of the long standing pillars of Grand Prix racing, Mr. Ross Brawn, among the storekeepers of F1’s faith had to say with regards to the practice that could become a regular feature:
“It’s open. It could evolve that way, but if it does, it will be because it’s the best thing to do. We are taking it carefully step by step and off the back of six you can decide whether you want to increase the number,” shared Ross Brawn.
But he’d add more on the concept of the success of sprint races and how successfully can they be integrated into F1, “I don’t think we should be afraid of doing that because, if we did that, it would be a measure of the success of the sprint. And if that is the format for the future then we have gone about it the right way. Equally, we may conclude that having it as a showcase event adds interest to the season.”
But that being said, what did Ross Brawn say on how soon can the decision regarding the finality of sprint races be made? By when can one expect to hear about sprint races becoming a standard norm in the sport? Here’s what the famous Englishman had to say on that, “Until we get there and we can measure the responses”.