FLOYD ON F1: A sprinting future looming?

The concept of Formula One sprint qualifying will raise its head once again at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

This is the third and final round of the sprint format trial and it was originally stated that after Brazil, a decision would be made regarding the future of this so-called improvement to Grand Prix weekends for the fans.

But reading media releases from early September, it would appear the F1 hierarchy of Stefano Domenicali and Ross Brawn have already made the decision.

Domenicali, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport before the Monza round, was reported as saying: “The direction is right. For 2022, we are aiming for a calendar of 23 races, of which a third are to have this type of format to increase the unpredictability.”

At the same time Brawn was reported as saying F1 could turn the sprint format into a standalone event. Perhaps they will rethink the concept of using Friday’s qualifying results to set the grid for the sprint and that result to set the grid for Sunday’s race.

Friday’s traditional qualifying results setting the grid for both sprint and the main race is a far more realistic method if one aims for a separate sprint “race” format.

Apparently a “number” of drivers and team chiefs are in favour but adamant it must not detract from the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Mid September, and Domenicali is reported as telling Autosprint: “I can imagine having up to seven sprint races.”

He proposed a Grand Slam scenario as an additional title, similar to the award in the tennis world. Then, Brawn this month indicated he believed the sprint should have a “greater bearing on the overall championship”, with changes to the points structure to assure the sprint event would have more relevance within the championship.

Brawn believes opposition to the new format is coming from, what he refers to as “avid” fans.

He was quoted as saying: “The ‘avid’ fans, our real, dedicated fans, have not been convinced yet, they’re indifferent. They all watched it, by the way, they didn’t turn off, they were fascinated by it.

“But the majority of our ‘normal’ fans and particularly our new fans were positive about the concept, they particularly liked the action on a Friday. They felt Friday was now worth watching… We seem to have engaged some more younger and casual audience.”

He inferred the agreement for such concepts was underway: “We’ve in agreed with the teams that we will look towards six events for next year.”

So there you have it, six or seven sprints a year surely indicates acceptance of the format.

However FIA chief Jean Todt said: “Nothing has been decided yet. Let’s first take a moment to see what knowledge we have gained from the trials at Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos.”

Sanity at last.