The Brazilian Grand Prix will mark the return of the Sprint Race, despite the fact that the format which Formula 1 owners introduced last year has not always experienced very happy moments. After just one year, its nature was changed following the harsh criticism of those who, with very good reason, could not consider the winner of the short sprint race as the poleman of the weekend. The FIA, under the pressure of Liberty Media, thus intended to make some changes regarding the sprint challenge represented by the 100 km run and, at the same time, changed the scoring system making it more attractive.
2022 was supposed to be the year of even more Sprint events. This format should have been used at six race weekends during the current campaign, but discussions between teams, Liberty Media and the FIA did not reach a common ground and therefore just three Sprint events remained for the 2022 F1 championship.
The first to get in the way were the teams that asked for more money. Liberty Media, after a long negotiation, has succumbed to the requests of the teams. When everything seemed done, it was the FIA that ranted, also asking for more resources to organize the events.
The issue erupted just before the season began and, wisely, Stefano Domenicali decided to postpone everything to 2023 after working “in the background” with Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In the end an agreement was found and, except for last minute unforeseen U-turns, next year we should see the six short races favored by the necessary financial support which, as usual, changes the mind of even the most reluctant opponent.
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Regarding the sprint format there remains, however, a perhaps irremediable contradiction: Liberty Media likes it so much that it talks about successful formats based on market surveys which would speak clearly, but it does not seem to ignite the enthusiasm of the Formula 1 fan base. Especially the older one that remains tied to the models of the past. And then there are those who generate the show by driving the racing cars with a thousand horsepower: the drivers. Also in this case we are not witnessing a lot of positive feedback. It ranges from opinions set to lukewarm to rather sonorous opposition like the one expressed by Max Verstappen.
“Whenever I take part in the Sprint race, the goal is always not to damage the car and make sure we stay in the top three. The only exciting side is having an extra start. But, in the end, only those who start from behind can get back up because using only one set of tires that lasts for a whole stint, not much happens.” – the Dutchman feels.
“We have had so many exciting races, so there is no need to add an event that lasts a third of the distance. And then – added the Red Bull driver – “everyone is very cautious, because if you are fighting for third place and you have a problem and finish last, you know your weekend will be difficult. You probably won’t take any risks, so it’s not a real race.” – he pointed out.
The Sprint Race is a topic that cannot find peace. The only certainty we have is that the American F1 ownership will do everything to extend it and make it the reference mechanism for race weekends. Liberty Media chases revenue and knows that advertising spaces sell better with such an event. As well as TV rights since the average share seems to increase over the weekends with this type of event that is very popular among the new generations. The feeling is that nostalgic drivers and fans will have to get used to it because the direction is clear. And there is no going back.
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