F1 SPRINT QUALI FORMAT ANNOUNCED

Formula 1 has announced that the Sprint Qualifying format will debut this year at three rounds.

The sprint qualifying format has been talked about for several years and after much debate amongst fans, the FIA, Formula 1 and all 10 teams have unanimously agreed on the format.

Sprint Qualifying will see all 20 drivers battle for their Sunday grid positions in a 100km affair on Saturday afternoon.

The result from the Sprint Qualifying race decides the starting grid for Sunday’s full distance Grand Prix with the first-place finisher starting from pole all the way through to the last placed driver at the back.

At these selected events, the current three-part qualifying format will be moved to Friday and will decide the grid for the 100km sprint race. All cars will enter Parc Ferme conditions from the start of Friday qualifying.

Two one-hour practice sessions remain, one on Friday morning and the second on Saturday morning prior to the sprint race.

“We are excited by this new opportunity that will bring our fans an even more engaging race weekend in 2021,” said Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“Seeing the drivers battling it out over three days will be an amazing experience and I am sure the drivers will relish the fight.

“I am delighted that all the teams supported this plan, and it is a testament to our united efforts to continue to engage our fans in new ways while ensuring we remain committed to the heritage and meritocracy of our sport.”

It’s been decided that the top three finishers in Saturday’s Sprint Qualifying will receive points – three points for first place, two for second and one for third.

FIA President Jean Todt is happy to see that Formula 1 is experimenting with the concept, he believes that it will engage more Formula 1 fans over three whole days.

“I am pleased to see that Formula 1 is seeking new ways to engage with its fans and enlarge the spectacle of a race weekend through the concept of Sprint Qualifying,” Todt said.

“It was made possible thanks to the continued collaboration between the FIA, Formula 1, and all of the teams.

“F1 is showing itself to be stronger than ever with all stakeholders working together in this way, and much has been done to ensure that the Sporting, Technical and Financial aspects of the format are fair.”

Two European venues and one non-European round are set to host the new qualifying format, with those venues to be announced in due course.

Auto Action understands that Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix will debut the format, followed by Italy and then Brazil towards the end of the season.

Sprint Qualifying Weekend Format

Friday

• 60-minute First Practice in the morning with two sets of tyres for teams to choose freely
• Normal Qualifying format in the afternoon with five soft tyre sets available only

Saturday

• 60-minute Second Free Practice in the morning with one set of tyres for teams to choose freely
• 100km Sprint Qualifying in the afternoon with two sets of tyres for teams to choose freely

Sunday

• Full distance Grand Prix with two remaining sets of tyres

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