Sprint Shootout: What Is the New Format for F1 Sprint Race 2023?

Formula 1 has introduced a new format for the Sprint race for the 2023 F1 season. The governing body of the sport brought in the changes ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after receiving the all-important approval.

Despite so much talk and opposition, the new format is finally here and this is the first time the Sprint will undergo a change after being introduced two years back.

Article Contents

1.1 What are the new changes made in the Sprint race?

1.2 What is Sprint Race?

1.3 When was the Sprint race introduced?

1.4 What is the number of Sprint races F1 has right now?

1.5 How does the point system work in the Sprint race?

1.6. Reception

What are the new changes made in the Sprint race?

The main change that has arrived this year when it comes to Sprint is the qualification. F1 has introduced a new session for Sprint and through this session, the grid setting for the race will be done.

Unlike 2021 and 2022 the Q1, Q2, and Q3 will no more be used to set the grid for the main race on Sunday. Instead, there will be two different qualifying sessions. One’s for the main race, the other is for Sprint.

The Sprint race qualifying session will be known as the Sprint shootout. Unlike the main qualification, the drivers will not be given 20 minutes each for the qualification. Instead, the shootout will have 12 minutes, ten minutes, and eight minutes for Q1, Q2, and Q3, respectively.

Each session will have a seven-minute of break in between. This change was brought in as the Sprint races usually tended to jeopardize brilliant qualifying sessions.

In other words, P1 or P2 in qualifying would not have any significance earlier if they fail to capitalize the sprint, as to start the race from P1 meant a driver needed to finish both the qualifying session and sprint in P1.

In the new format, the drivers will have practice and race qualifying sessions on Friday, Sprint qualifying and Sprint on Saturday, and finally the main race on Sunda. In this order, a bad performance on Saturday will not have any effect on Sunday.

What is the Sprint race?

Formula 1 has introduced a new racing format, that will see cars go flat-out racing called the Sprint race. It has been introduced to enable racers to go for hard racing till the Chequered Flag.

It is different from the traditional multiple-lap showdown that completes 300 kilometers. But it completes one-third of the race distance, which is 100 kilometers in one go.

Despite covering such distance the pit-stop isn’t compulsory. Teams or drivers can only opt to pit when there is an absolute necessity, otherwise, pitting would just mean giving away the position.

When was the Sprint race introduced?

The Sprint race was first introduced in 2021. Initially, it was three sprints per season. This was followed by the 2022 season with the same three Sprint races.

The venues for the 2021 Sprint races were United Kingdom’s Silverstone Circuit, Italy’s Monza Circuit, and Brazil’s Interlagos. Max Verstappen won the first-ever Sprint in F1, whereas Valtteri Bottas took the next two wins.

The 2022 Sprint races were held in Imola in Italy, Red Bull Ring in Austria, and Interlagos in Brazil. Verstappen won the first two Sprints this season, while George Russell too the ultimate win.

What is the number of Sprint races F1 has right now?

As per the changes made earlier this season, F1 will have six Sprint races from 2023. That’s a double from the past seasons as Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, the United States, and Brazil will host the races.

The Sprint races will begin in Baku, followed by Red Bull Ring, Spa, Lusail, and Austin, and the final one being in Interlagos. Interestingly, the Sprint races this season will also have a qualification process.

How does the point system work in the Sprint race?

The point system in the Sprint race is drastically different from that of the main race. There is just one point difference between the P1 and P2 and the positions after that. Furthermore, there are points available for the first eight drivers, unlike the main race.

The P1 driver gets a maximum of eight points. From there on, the point distribution goes down to seven, six, five, four, three, two, and one till P8, respectively.

Reception of the Sprint race

The increase in Sprint races received heavy backlash, especially from the defending champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman was not at all impressed with the double number of Sprints as he threatened to quit the sport, as per Daily Mail.

The Dutchman was vocal against it since there was little end result and very few points available as compared to the main race. Hence, any mishap in the sprint can easily jeopardize the race on Sunday.

However, with everything processed now, it’ll be interesting to see how the new qualification for Sprint works out. It’ll also be fascinating to watch how the teams take advantage of three extra Sprints, meaning three extra opportunities for points haul.