Attention, the sprint format is making a comeback this weekend in Spielberg
11th round of the Championship in Austria, and return of the sprint qualifications, MotorsInside gives you all the information to know.
Reminder shot
The format of a weekend sprint 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 Q1/Q2/Q3 qualifications take place on Friday afternoon instead of the second free practice session. The qualifications do not determine the starting grid for Sunday afternoon, but the starting grid for the Sprint race, which takes place instead of the traditional qualifications on Saturday afternoon. The result of this race determines the starting grid for Sunday afternoon.
This qualification is a 100 km race (approximately 25/30 minutes, here at the Red Bull Ring, 23 laps). Pit stop is not compulsory but still allowed. The top eight finishers in this race will respectively receive 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point (unlike 2021, where only the top three received 3, 2, and 1 point).
Sprint in Austria.
The Red Bull Ring is a fast circuit where overtaking is possible. The new cars in 2022 will have no problem following and overtaking each other around this track, giving us a spectacle similar to Silverstone. The Austrian Grand Prix has often provided us with exciting battles, and this Saturday will be no exception.
Max Verstappen won the first sprint race of the year at Imola ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. The Dutchman enjoys this track a lot, and he is logically the favorite for this weekend.
