Many in the F1 paddock are not fans of F1 Sprint. A persistent chatter has taken shape during the ongoing season. The dispute revolves around the tight timing for setup exploration, given the availability of only one hour of free practice. It’s a condition that seriously challenges engineers and drivers, forcing them to work quickly on the car’s setup.
This is precisely what Liberty Media wanted, as in such a competitive context, the cards can be shuffled. Domenicali, just two days ago, waxed lyrical about F1 Sprint. The eye of the master fattens the horse, and Stefano never misses an opportunity to paint a picture that frankly has become tiresome.
Nobody cares if the audience increases. Or at least, it doesn’t matter to passionate F1 fans. Not to mention that the data has often been “enhanced” by the U.S. management, attempting to bolster their argument and “polish” their managerial ideas before the world. What matters is money, we know, and little does it matter if a significant portion of drivers and technicians are not at all happy and disagree on certain points.
But, as mentioned, it’s about the increase in the audience. More entertainment that also reflects on social and digital platforms. All of this since 2021, the first season where the double qualifying format with the 100km mini-race on Saturday was introduced. This is the diktat of the former Ferrari man, now at the helm of the Formula One Group, who, despite a lifetime spent on the other side, has long since moved to the “dark side” of the matter.
Simultaneously, Mohammed Ben Sulayem also speaks on the issue. The FIA President describes himself as very pleased to confirm that in the 2024 racing season, F1 Sprint will be present with 6 “juicy” events. But F1 must adapt to innovations for the good of the sport, and for this reason, FOM and teams are “working” to define the future direction of the format. The aim of the former Emirati rally driver, therefore, seems to be to satisfy both parties.
F1 Sprint Under review for changes to give a “technical sense” to the weekend
It is interesting to note the choices regarding the placement of the format in the 2024 calendar. A clear disproportion is evident, obviously intentional. In fact, of the 6 proposals for F1 Sprint, 3 100km mini-races are scheduled at the end of the championship, the last three to be clear. A reasoned measure with a very specific purpose: to make the end of the season as complicated as possible.
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There would be nothing wrong with openly declaring it. It’s a pity that the official message puts the layouts at the center of the decision. In simpler terms: if three out of six F1 Sprint events are in the last three races, it’s because the circuits in question are more suitable than others. No one believes it, not even those waving it around. After all, the effort of the top category of motorsport suggests that there will not be overwhelming dominance by Red Bull next year, and therefore, “creating instability” at the end of the championship will attract more spectators.
Indeed, with three sprint events at the end of the championship, more points will be available from Saturday races. Moreover, as mentioned, the only FP1 sessions to set up the cars could pose challenges for the teams and shuffle the values. All created ad hoc, in an attempt to maximize the issue that Liberty Media undoubtedly considers the most important of all: the spectacle.
The essence of the sport and, consequently, that of competition comes later. Ours is not a criticism in itself. We are not “nostalgic.” Only innovations could be weighed better. This is why the above discussion is under review. It seems that the Sprint Shootout, the qualifying that forms the starting grid for F1 Sprint, could move to Friday afternoon. While the mini-race could take place on Saturday morning.
As anticipated by the editorial staff of the Italian website Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica, the parties have been in talks for some time to find a solution. The teams demand more freedom regarding the parc fermé. We’re talking about a change that would radically alter the perspective of the weekend, facilitating the work of technicians and drivers who would define themselves as more satisfied.
In other words, this would be the plan: “set” the cars in FP1 and then compete in Sprint Shootout and F1 Sprint. Then, armed with data, engineers can modify the aerodynamics and mechanics of the cars before facing the qualifying session for the Sunday race and, consequently, adjust the setup of the cars.
This is a clear compromise that could undoubtedly please both parties, giving a purpose to the work of the teams that could optimize their cars in the most crucial race. We just have to wait for the F1 Commission in January and see if the American ownership is willing to soften in this regard.
Source: Alessandro Arcari for FUnoanalisitecnica
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