Few topics have divided fans like the Sprint race format. Introduced last season with the official name of Sprint Qualifying, the Saturday race was the answer to the new direction that Formula 1 wants to take, especially since the management passed to the Americans of Liberty Media back in 2017. The new owners – in line with the reference culture – laid the foundations for gradually transforming sport into an entertainment product to be sold to televisions which, in fact, have long insisted that each session of a Grand Prix weekend should offer something up for grabs (be it pole position, the grid of the Grand Prix or the main event on Sunday itself).
Ross Brawn, a great ‘sponsor’ of the Sprint Race project as well as general manager and sports manager of the Formula 1 project, also expressed himself on the subject. The British manager, impressed by the fights on Saturday in Sao Paulo, analyzed the sporting and organizational aspects: “The Brazilian event was the last Sprint of the season. We thought this was one of the tracks on which to organize the Saturday race and we were rewarded. There are one hundred kilometers, without the obligation to change tires, so the choice of the circuit in which to use this format is absolutely fundamental. In Brazil we saw a fantastic show, so now is the time to take the next step” – the former Ferrari boss explained at the end of the Sao Paulo Sprint race.
In this regard, the former Benetton technical manager said: “I don’t think we need to make a revolution, as the structure of the event is great, although it is necessary to analyze the role played by the free practice session on Saturday morning, which may seem a bit boring. However, we should never forget that the basic point of view is to make every single day of the event full of action on the track. The Fridays and Saturdays of Interlagos proved fantastic, now we are hoping for the Grand Prix, but in general, both for the spectators present at the racetrack and for those attending the event in their homes, we could not ask for more.”
Formula 1 has already officially confirmed that the Sprints will be increased to six events next season: “It is likely that Brazil will be among them” – admitted the former Ferrari technical director – “but we are working on finding the best tracks and we will continue along this line to ensure the best possible outcome of the product”. – Ross Brawn concluded.
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