“I really like the normal format”: Pierre Gasly questions how much value Sprint races add to Grand Prix weekends

Ever since Sprint races started getting added to the F1 calendar, fans and pundits have questioned the value it adds to a race weekend. Some feel that it makes the weekend more exciting, whereas others like Pierre Gasly feel that it’s only financially attractive for the company and its sponsors.

Gasly, who recently joined Alpine, thinks that Sprint races shouldn’t dominate the F1 calendar. In 2021 and 2022, there were three sprint weekends each, but that number will go up to six in 2023. This is a decision that has come under scrutiny, but as things stand, F1 is set to stand by it.

Gasly admitted that he prefers normal race weekends and traditional qualifying format over the Sprint. He went on to say that there are positives when finance is taken into account, but that from a sporting point of view, it doesn’t add much value.

“Personally I really like the normal format with the qualifying on Saturday and then one grand Prix on Sunday,” the Frenchman said as quoted by Race Fans.

“Sprint races. I see the positives financially for the organization. In terms of spectacle, it still hasn’t proved to me that it’s worth having more and more races. So in my opinion, the normal format is better.”

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Pierre Gasly teams up with rival at Alpine for 2023

When Gasly was revealed as Esteban Ocon’s teammate for 2023, a lot of people were surprised. On paper, it is a very good pairing since both of them are immensely talented drivers, with lots of years ahead of them. However, their troubled relationship in the past has Alpine fans worried.

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer on the other hand, is not concerned about Gasly and Ocon’s troubled past. In fact, he insists that they’re more motivated than ever to help the team grow and take a step forward in 2023.

“At the end of the day, it kind of makes me laugh because the media is really focusing on this story and trying to push it,” Gasly said to Channel 4. “It’s not new to anyone that you have a rivalry inside a team. But you’ve both got to be mature enough and smart enough to push the team forward.”

Gasly replaces the legendary Fernando Alonso at the Enstone-based outfit. Alonso will join Lance Stroll at Aston Martin, and the Spaniard actually left on bad terms with Szafnauer.

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