The new sprint qualifying format is appreciated in the paddock
Several drivers, including those from Ferrari, have welcomed the FIA's announcement regarding the modifications to the weekend format. The main argument put forward is the possibility of being more aggressive on Saturdays.
The first sprint qualifying weekend of the season will be unlike any other. The changes announced by the FIA, this Tuesday, will result in a major overhaul of the sprint race format. This is to the delight of a large part of the paddock.
Carlos Sainz: « That’s what we recommended »
Indeed, the qualifying session on Friday will determine the grid for the Sunday Grand Prix. Saturday, on the other hand, will be exclusively dedicated to the sprint race and its qualifying session, known as the “Sprint Shootout.” This change has been approved by several drivers. When interviewed by Autosport, Nyck de Vries stated, “I think it’s a good thing that they separate the result of the sprint race from the starting grid of the Grand Prix because it encourages drivers to participate in the race when they wouldn’t otherwise take the risk.” Nico Hülkenberg is particularly pleased with the removal of the Saturday’s second free practice session, which he deems unnecessary.
The Ferrari drivers join their comrades.
Charles Leclerc is satisfied with this format for the possibility of not compromising the entire weekend if an incident occurs during the sprint race. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, agrees: “This is what we recommended to Formula 1 and the FIA if they want a better show. They asked us, and we said that we wanted the sprint race not to count for the Grand Prix.”
