Carlos Sainz Proposes A Better F1 Sprint Format Change

Carlos Sainz, argues that the current sprint format requires further adjustment. (photo: twitter @Carlossainz55)

JAKARTA - Formula 1 racer Carlos Sainz, argues that the current sprint format requires further adjustment. He said Saturday's sprint race was too "explaining" how the big race on Sunday would take place.

The sixth and final sprint of the 2023 season will take place over the weekend of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, when Interlagos is the only circuit to host a sprint race in three seasons, since F1 began introducing this short race.

The sprint race was used as a grid fixing method in 2021 and 2022 for full racing, but the 2023 reforms effectively created its own day for sprint and race qualification on Saturday.

Sainz argues that F1 should continue to experiment with different sprint formats, to develop a situation where Saturday's race doesn't really reflect the main event on Sundays.

"Right now, I agree that six is enough. But I agree that Saturday is too revealing what will happen on Sunday, which is basically the first place in Sunday's race, which you watch on TV. And this doesn't help. I think the main show is a big race, is the Grand Prix. So if you've reached that point, it's better to try something else on Saturday," he said.

"Is it a reverse grid? Is it a one-round qualification? I don't know. But in my opinion, the format we have now, Saturday doesn't feel fully suited for what happens then on Sunday," he added.

Sainz's previous teammate, Lando Norris, suggested that if the format was up to him, he would prefer if the sprint race element was removed and the weekend the race was compacted to two days with a training session one time before qualifying.

This is a format that F1 has tested during the 2020 season influenced by COVID, as the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix lasts for two days with a single 90-minute training session.

"I always like normal race weekends, to be honest. So if I could choose, I would go back to something like that," said Norris.

The reason is for fans and to present more shows and things like that. "I like the challenge to only FP1 and then qualification, I think it's better. I think it's more fun for me, more challenging for engineers and for us as racers," said Norris.

"So if we only have FP1, qualifying, and the main race - Saturday-Sunday, it will be good for two days. I think that's the only thing, but it's not my choice, so it doesn't matter," he said.