F1 boss satisfied with ‘extraordinary’ Sprint Race test. F1 boss satisfied with Sprint Race test.

Stefano Domenicali is generally happy with how the first sprint qualifying session went but sees room for improvement.

A new format with traditional qualifying taking place on Friday, a sprint race on Saturday and the main event on Sunday, was used for the first time at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone last weekend.

There was a largely positive reception to it, with the sprint qualifying session being widely seen as an enjoyable addition to the race weekend.

Stefano Domenicali is pleased with how it turned out, feeling that it lined up with the sport’s aims to move forward and grow the audience.

“We can only be satisfied,” he said, as reported by Sky Italia after the race.

“Because we’re trying to look forward, respecting obviously what Formula 1 has been, but to try new initiatives is linked to the fact that Formula 1 looks forward, it wants to gain new fans and I have to say that in general, the answer has been extraordinary. Now we have to meet, do the first debriefing after this first event, then get ready for Monza.”

That being said, the Italian doesn’t think the format is quite perfect yet and is keen to find ways to improve it going forward.

“Sure, they are all details that will have a constructive logic to do something that is absolutely perfect. So for sure, we will talk about that.”- he explained.

The first trial of the sprint qualifying took place in front of thousands of people, with the race weekend at Silverstone going ahead with full capacity crowds.

Stefano Domenicali enjoyed seeing that, saying that it felt “magic,” and despite the fact that the global pandemic is ongoing and poses a threat to the sport, he is keen for similar scenes at more races this season.

“Well, they are one hundred and forty thousand people. In three days more than three hundred thousand people. This is today’s formula. A sporting platform that keeps living a magic moment despite the period we’re living in. So let’s hope to see the same kind of enthusiasm, the same people also in the next grands prix.” – the former Ferrari boss concluded.