Return of the “Sprint” format this weekend at Imola
Third Grand Prix of 2022 in Imola, this weekend will be marked by the first sprint race of the year. Introduced three times during the 2021 season, this qualifying format returns in 2022 for three GPs. New weekend format, new points system, and other changes, we'll explain everything you need to know to follow this Grand Prix as best as possible.
The weekend format is slightly different: only two practice sessions, a traditional qualifying session on Friday, and a new race on Saturday. The format is the same as in 2021, but there are still some important changes to note.
The fundamentals are the same as in 2021. The Q1/Q2/Q3 qualifications take place on Friday afternoon instead of the second free practice session. These qualifications do not determine the grid for Sunday afternoon, but rather the starting grid for the Sprint race, which takes place instead of the traditional qualifications on Saturday afternoon. The result of this race, in turn, determines the starting grid for Sunday afternoon.
This qualification is a 100 km race (approximately 25/30 minutes, here in Imola, 21 laps). Pit stops are not mandatory but still allowed. The top eight finishers in this race will respectively receive 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point (unlike in 2021, where only the top three received 3, 2, and 1 points).
Another change, it will no longer be the winner of the sprint race who will be designated as the poleman in the history books, but rather the driver with the fastest time on Friday afternoon during the qualifying sessions.
Other dates for sprint races.
The first appointment of this sprint race will take place on Friday, April 22nd, during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The two other appointments of these original qualifications will be during the Austrian Grand Prix on July 9th, 2022, and at Interlagos for the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 12th, 2022.
