Formula 1 drivers haven’t been won over by the latest iteration of its sprint race format ahead of its final appearance of the 2023 season this weekend.
But while many believe the format still needs improvement, and there is little appetite for expanding its use beyond the current six rounds per season, several of them said they prefer having less practice during race weekends.“I like the fact of having only one free practice session,” said Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. “I don’t think we should have more than six sprint weekends of a year. I think six is good.
“But to have one free practice and go straight to qualifying is something I enjoy. I think the Saturday could be changed and improved but I really like the Friday. Three free practice sessions is really long and sometimes it can get a bit boring, we always go through the same program. So I like the fact of having only one free practice and going straight to action with qualifying.”
“Saturday is not the greatest of days but I like the single practice session and straight into quali,” he said.
“I think we can learn. I love that we do have a different format rather than just the same three practice sessions and then the quali and the race.
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“But the best sprint race I ever had was when I started last so I’m in favour of the swap in order. Except if we had that, then everyone would just try and qualify last.”
Hamilton also suggested F1’s sprint races, which are currently shorter than Formula 2’s sprint races, “maybe should be a little bit longer.”
Leclerc’s team mate Carlos Sainz Jnr also wants to see more changes to the format, which has been altered each year since it was introduced, to prevent it detracting from the grand prix.
“I agree that six is enough,” he said. “I agree that Saturday’s too revealing of what’s going to happen on Sunday. This is basically the first stint of the race of Sunday, what you’re watching on TV, and this is doesn’t help the show for the main race that is the grand prix.
“So [arriving] to that point, you better try something else on Saturdays. Is that reverse grids, is that single lap qualifying, is that whatever, I don’t know.
“But I think given that the sprint format is a bit of an experiment going on right now in Formula 1, I would be open to keep experimenting to see which format is best because for me, the one we have now on Saturday doesn’t feel completely right for what then comes on Sunday.”
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Daniel Ricciardo spoke for many when he said F1 should not emulate Moto GP by making sprint sprint races part of every weekend.
“If we have a season of 23, 24 races, if half a dozen of them are sprint, I think it adds a little bit of spice. But I wouldn’t want to go down the Moto GP route and have it every weekend.”
Among those who spoke up for the format was Lance Stroll. “I don’t mind them,” said the Aston Martin driver. “I think it’s exciting. Every time you get in the car there’s something to fight for and more action for everyone watching back home too.
“I felt like last week, after having the sprint in Austin and then going to Mexico and kind of having that more normal weekend, I felt like there was a lot of practice and just Friday was a long day and Austin was kind of just full-on, every session, [there’s] something to fight for and I think it was a much more exciting weekend than Mexico. So I definitely think it spices things up and makes it interesting for everyone watching at home.”
Valtteri Bottas also said he “likes the sprints,” mainly because they reduce the amount of practice time available.
“Always I’ve never been a big fan of three practice sessions, I prefer to have one and then straight to action. So that’s the nice side of sprint weekend.”
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However he sees room for improvement in the format as well. “Obviously there’s always things that could be changed. For example for us as a team at the moment, unfortunately, it is only the top eight that can score in the sprints so most often it’s a bit of a long shot at the moment for us, which is not ideal. But of course it depends in which car you are. Other than that, I’m more than happy to do a sprint.”
“For me, it’s not preferred,” said the Williams driver. “As a rookie it’s nice to have the three practice sessions. But on top of that I just feel like Saturday is a bit of a standalone day that doesn’t offer a whole lot, as Valtteri said, if you’re not in the top eight. So I prefer a normal weekend.”
Another driver who said he “always liked the normal race weekends” is Lando Norris. “If I could just choose, I’d just go back to having that.”
However he acknowledged Formula 1 is keen to persevere with the format it introduced two years ago. “The reason is for the fans and to put on more of a show and things like that.
“I like the challenge of [having] just FP1 [then] qualifying. It’s better, I think it’s for me more enjoyable, more of a challenge for the engineers and for us as drivers. So if we just had FP1, qualifying and a main race, Saturday-Sunday, it’ll be nice. Two days. I think that’s maybe the only thing, but it’s not my choice, so it doesn’t matter.”
Max Verstappen, who has been among the most vehement critics of the sprint race format, responded with sarcasm: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. It’s so much fun.
“I get so excited by having a sprint again. I’m all for it.”
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SjaakFoo (@sjaakfoo)
2nd November 2023, 22:06
The significant swing in opinion’s expressed appears to me to be somewhat suspiciously timed. So I expect Stefano has made it clear that any negative opinion on the format should be curbed and at least mellowed down to the point that there’s no clear rejection of the format anymore.
I’m glad they weren’t outright censored, but I find it dubious that the best we get now is “well if I were asked my preference I’d have a standard race weekend.” But hey, it’s better than having them sing it’s praise’s.
I also quite enjoyed Max’s utterly sarcastic enthusiasm for the format, after getting asked about it for the hundredth time in a row even though everyone already knew his answer. Gotta love that kid.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd November 2023, 22:09
@sjaakfoo
Yeah he said something very much along those lines publicly earlier in the year:
Critical drivers should ‘remember they’re part of a bigger picture’ – Domenicali
Imre (@f1mre)
3rd November 2023, 7:31
Yes, thought the same. They are censored. So what’s the point listening to what they say if they are being censored?
Verstappen did it brilliantly.
Alex
3rd November 2023, 8:59
Part of the change will be that you ask different drivers & different questions.
One week one driver says they miss the extra practice time. Next week Charles LeClerc says he enjoys it. Different people have different preferences.
I get that only applies to some of the comments though, and with others there are individuals whose comments have changed.
PeterG
2nd November 2023, 23:17
A 2 day format with less practice would just be less value for fans due tothete been less F1 track action which is what most are turning up/tuning in to watch.
I know for me a 2 day weekend format with say a single 60-90 minute practice session and then qualifying and the GP would just mean i no longer bother attending race weekends as 1 day/2 hours less F1 track action simply wouldn’t be worth the cost of travel, accomodation and tickets.
When i go to a race weekend I’m there to see F1 drivers in F1 cars afterall so want to see as much of that as possible.
slowmo (@slowmo)
2nd November 2023, 23:28
Have a sprint championship and make it separate from the main championship and most complaints about the format would end right away.
Alan Dove
3rd November 2023, 8:57
In the era of the budget cap there can’t be a separate Championship because events (damage) in any Sprint would have a direct impact on the WDC/WCC performance.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
2nd November 2023, 23:46
New reason to like sprint races this year: that way we have 3 competitive days and that means increased chance of rain affective competitive sessions, we had austria and spa which had a “wet” sprint race for example.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
2nd November 2023, 23:47
affected*
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
2nd November 2023, 23:56
What do the other ten drivers think? Are their opinions too “selfish”? I’d understand if Piastri’s in favour. He’s new and doesn’t know any better – sorry, different – and he’s managed to win a sprint race.
Jimmy Cliff
3rd November 2023, 6:59
A F1 sprint weekend should be NOT existing:
Remove Thursday from program
Friday is then Thursday activities + 1 hour practice
Saturday has 1 hour practice + qualifying keeping today’s Q1-Q3 format
Sunday main race
If the FIA persist in ruining F1 with sprint races please let them change the format to:
Friday: FP1 and FP2 for 2 hours
Saturday: Morning qualifying for both sprint and main race – afternoon sprint race
Sunday: main race
Ruben
3rd November 2023, 8:10
I think they only like the reduced practice because the lack of time to find the right set up seems to hamper Verstappen and Red Bull most. That’s fair from their position, but I can see their opinion swing 180º if they see any future advantage disappear because of an experiment in the weekend format.
Personally I never cared about the sprint format. Both because of what it is and they way it’s pushed as if it’s the best thing in the world.
Ludewig
3rd November 2023, 13:57
Perhaps RB is hurt more only because RB is more risk-averse and sets up their car so it is definitely legal?
Nick T.
3rd November 2023, 8:30
I, personally, don’t like how three practice sessions favor drivers who use their teammates’ data to get much closer than maybe they deserve to be. I’d prefer a max of two practices with a third session that on alternating rounds goes for a) each odd Grand Prix being used for drivers without a seat (junior formula drivers, ex-drivers trying to win back a seat, Indy car drivers needing FIA points) and b) each even going for real world testing of news parts.
…or, if they really wanted to entertain us, all the F1 drivers in spec chassis with the grid determined by lottery or the order of the last race results (whether in reverse or normal or top 8 reversed), but F1 would never have the balls.
Leksa (@leksa)
3rd November 2023, 9:02
For a fan on the trackside, Fridays are the best since you are freely allowed to go anywhere and see the cars from different places. Usually it’s not even that crowded, so it’s nice and relaxing. I don’t know if the same applies to Fridays in Sprint weekends, or are you forced to stay inside the zone shown on your ticket. That’s why I’d rather go to watch F1 on circuits where I know Friday will only have FP1 and FP2.
Alan Dove
3rd November 2023, 9:12
I suspect the lobbying right now will be at least 1 Reverse Grid sprint race next year or maybe 3. The ensuing chaotic races will then probably turn into 6 for 2024, and then maybe every event in 2025. I can’t see any other ‘solution’ for Liberty. They’ve been pushing for Reverse Grids for a while, and this year’s Sprints seems to have emboldened this push more despite being officially dropped as an idea back in 2021. I don’t think it was ever dropped though, this has been the long-term ambition. Seeing people who were once repulsed by the idea now onboard suggests the strategy of small changes over time to achieve one major one in the end is working well.
I happen to think Reverse Grids will have a worse effect on Sunday’s event than what we have now because you’ll go from an ‘entertaining‘ Saturday event full of ‘action‘ to what will be seen as a boring Sunday Grand Prix. This then will force questions about the sustainability of the Grand Prix 300km event and whether that needs changes to compete with the Saturday action. Maybe Reverse Grids aren’t the end goal, but a wave of even bigger changes. I wouldn’t write that off.
But back to Reverse grids, especially at places like Monaco, it will give Haas, Williams etc… some time in the sunlight. I can see it getting substantial support in that context.
Whether the traditional fan base will stay with F1 in the ensuring years will be interesting to observe.
Señor Sjon
3rd November 2023, 9:19
Parc Ferme should be ditched. We have the cost cap now.
I really dislike sprint weekends. Real qualy is on the way home from work on Friday, Saturday is skippable, but if you watch the Sprint misery, you get a big spoiler for the Sunday. In Austin, we’ve seen on Saturday it was useless to try and use the softs in a meaningful way, so no one touched them in the race on Sunday.
The flow of the weekend just isn’t there. I don’t understand the quotes from drivers that want less practice. You also have engineers that need the track time. And funny enough, it came from backmarker teams who would need practice to improve the car.
floodo1 (@floodo1)
3rd November 2023, 12:04
Asking drivers if we should have any practice sessions is like asking kids if they want to eat their vegetables
lynn-m
3rd November 2023, 13:26
It still baffles my mind at how much the current crop of drivers seemingly don’t want to actually drive the cars.
Many drivers from the past would jump at the opportunity to be in the cars & the best from those eras tended to be the one’s who would take advantage at any/every opportunity to get some laps in be in during a race weekend or a private test session.
Guess modern drivers just want more time away from the track to play video games & be on social media.
S
3rd November 2023, 14:43
But they do want to drive the cars – just not in boring, largely meaningless practice sessions, heavily restricted by limitations on tyres, engines, gearboxes, their own team’s wishes regarding which data collection they want to focus on, etc…
Those cars weren’t just more fun to drive, they were far more challenging to handle and required significantly more time in them to ‘collect data’ and understand how changes to the setup affect performance.
Data which, going far enough back, came exclusively (and later predominantly) from the driver… No computers or sensors tracking every tiny detail – just seat-of-the-pants stuff.
Most would happily take time away from the extensive media and corporate duties they have to perform now, certainly. They spend more time being a celebrity than being a racing driver, such is the nature of the modern F1 business.
Nick T.
3rd November 2023, 17:53
That and bumper lanes. And no wain wacing. It’s to scawy for many of the younger drivers.