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“We have to ask the fans how they feel about it”: Fernando Alonso insists that fans should make the final call regarding Sprint Races in Formula 1

Somin Bhattacharjee
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"The people at the factory are clever now"- Fernando Alonso explains how Alpine has changed since he last worked with them

Fernando Alonso feels that Sprint Races were introduced for the fans’ enjoyment and they should get the final say regarding its existence.  

F1 experimented with it’s newly launched idea of ‘Sprint Weekends’ in 2021. Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos were the chosen tracks for the inaugural season of Sprint racing.

These weekends involve just one practice session on Friday before Qualifying on the same day. Saturday sees the teams get another hour of free practice, before they line up on the grid for the Sprint Race. The order for the grid gets decided based on Friday’s Qualifying session. The order in which the drivers finish Saturday’s race, is how the grid gets arranged for Sunday’s main event.

F1 fans showed mixed reactions over the introduction of these races to the calendar. Some feel that it adds more to the entire weekend, while others feel that it does little and puts the teams under more pressure.

There have been instances where good Qualifying runs from drivers get nulled due to incidents in Sprint Races. On the other hand, drivers have often capitalized on poor Qualifying runs by going in strong in those races.

Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso feels that, the involvement of Sprint races in the sport, should be decided by fans.

Also read: Fernando Alonso discloses how his Formula 1 career affected his ‘normal life’

Fans need to decide what was good and what was bad, says Fernando Alonso

The Alpine driver had a good experience with Sprint Races in 2021. In Silverstone, he qualified for Saturday’s race on 11th but made up places to start Sunday on seventh. He repeated a similar feat in Monza, where he made up two places, compensating for a relatively poor Qualifying session.

However, at the end of the day, theses races were made as a ‘spectacle for fans’. So, the final call has to made by viewers of the sport, Alonso believes.

Also read: Mercedes & Red Bull ask $5million addition in budget cap with additional sprint races; Ferrari ready to settle for less

“And then there are two races. Yes , it’s going well for us, and maybe that’s why I have a high opinion of sprint racing.”

“I think this format is made for the fans. To improve the show and attract different and new fans. to sport. I think we should ask them and see what they think: “How about the weekend? What was good, what was not good? And if we have to change something, they must decide.”

“I think for the teams, it wasn’t better and it wasn’t worse. It was just different. We prepare for the weekend in a different way, but in the end it’s the same for everyone. So I think we have to put the fans first. And they have to tell us what they didn’t like and try to improve it,” the former Ferrari driver concluded.

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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