Formula 1 will double the number of ‘sprint’ events to six next season after an agreement was reached.
The teams and F1 had agreed to the increase back in April but that was temporarily put on hold by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem amid concerns over staff workload. ‘Sprint’ events differ from normal grand prix weekends by holding a shorter race on a Saturday, with qualifying on a Friday setting the grid for that event.
The result of the shorter sprint would then determine the grid order for the main grand prix, with points also available for the top eight finishers. However, the FIA had asked for time to assess what the impact would be on its staff if an increase in ‘sprints’ was to go ahead.
The body claimed that the extra events would add to their workload, but an agreement has now been reached with the FIA’s World Council voting to accept the increase. As yet the races that will hold the ‘sprints’ have not been confirmed in what is set to be a record 24-race calendar in 2023.
‘Sprint’ events have been trialled in 2021 and 2022 and F1 data reportedly shows that they have boosted TV audiences and income.
Ben Sulayem said in an FIA statement today: "We concluded a thorough analysis on the impact of additional sprint sessions, and have adjusted relevant parameters of our work to ensure that they continue to be regulated at the very highest level.
"Sprint sessions provide an exciting dynamic to the race weekend format and have proven to be popular over the past two seasons - I am sure that this positive trend will continue and am pleased that the world motorsport council has today given its approval for them to go ahead."
F1 president Stefano Domenicali said: "I am pleased that we can confirm six sprints will be part of the Championship from 2023 onwards, building on the success of the new format introduced for the first time in 2021.
"The sprint provides action across three days, with the drivers all fighting for something right from the start on Friday through to the main event on Sunday - adding more drama and excitement to the weekend.
"The feedback from the fans, teams, promoters, and partners has been very positive and the format is adding a new dimension to Formula 1, and we all want to ensure its success in the future."
