F1 Commission Greenlights Changes to Sprint Format

Formula 1’s commission has given the green light to major changes to the sprint race format, aimed at making race weekends easier and more exciting. Together with Formula 1 management and the FIA, the teams have approved the postponement of sprint practice over the weekend.

From now on, there will be only one free practice on Friday, which will be followed by the qualifying sprint. The 100km race will take place on Saturday morning before the main qualifying round for the Grand Prix on Sunday. This change replaces last year’s format, which included Grand Prix qualifying on Friday, sprint qualifying and an independent race on Saturday.

These proposed changes will be submitted to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for formal approval on February 28. With six weekends scheduled for the 24-race season starting March 2 in Bahrain, the changes are expected to improve the fan experience, making it easier to follow and more engaging.

In addition to the change to the sprint race format, the F1 commission has approved splitting the power unit into four per driver for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Another significant change concerns the Drag Reduction System (DRS). DRS activation during a race should be one lap after the start, not two. The purpose of this change is to make overtaking more dynamic and strategic from the start of the race.

The new F1 sprint calendar is based on a thorough review of the weekend’s sprint races with the aim of optimizing fan excitement and understanding. The revised format, which includes Saturday’s race and after the main qualifying, will be used for six special races next season in China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Brazil and Qatar.

It should be noted that all these changes await the official approval of the World Motor Sports Council. A board meeting is scheduled for February 28 to make a final decision before the start of the exciting F1 season.