“Similar to a Twenty20 cricket match” – How does sprint qualifying work, set to make its F1 debut this season?

“Similar to a Twenty20 cricket match” – Explaining how Formula 1’s brainchild sprint qualifying will work, set to be held in Monza, Silverstone and Interlagos this season.

Before we explain the unique sprint qualifying in detail, it is imperative to understand the schedule released by the F1 Commission for the three special weekends in Italy, Britain, and Brazil.

Friday

• 60-minute First Practice in the morning with two sets of tyres for teams to choose freely
• Normal Qualifying format in the afternoon with five soft tyre sets available only

Saturday

• 60-minute Second Free Practice in the morning with one set of tyres for teams to choose freely
• 100km Sprint Qualifying in the afternoon with two sets of tyres for teams to choose freely

Sunday

• Full distance Grand Prix with two remaining sets of tyres

New race weekend format, new challenge.

Let’s take a look… 👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/FULEYBQki4

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 26, 2021

Format of Sprint Qualifying

As per Formula 1’s Lawrence Barretto, Sprint qualifying is “similar to a Twenty20 cricket match”. The special session on Saturday will see drivers racing from start to finish without having to pit for fresh and/or different sets of tyres.

The Sprint Qualifying will be run over 100kms, lasting around 25-30 minutes. Considering its blank-and-you-miss duration, the ‘race’ will be held late into Friday, to allow fanatics from all across the globe to witness the spectacle.

Championship Points will be awarded, the winner earning three points, runner-up two, and a solitary point for P3. Most crucially, the order of the sprint qualifying will decide the grid for Sunday’s extravaganza, taking away the privilege from the traditional qualifying, which will decide the grid for the sprint qualifying race instead.

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About the author

Subham Jindal

A Red - be it Manchester United or Ferrari. Hails from the hills of Kalimpong, Darjeeling. Aspiring to become a respected Sports Management professional.

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