The Formula 1 Commission has approved a new competition format for sprint race weekends within the top category with major changes, to the way the classification will be used and how it will influence starting grids.
Formula 1 consists in 2023 of six grand prix under this format. The first is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. It will be followed by Austria (June 30-July 2), Belgium (July 28-30), Qatar (October 6-8), United States (October 20-22) and Brazil (November 3-5). ).
The changes were designed to create a separate event on Saturday that would not affect the grid for Sunday’s feature race, in an attempt to encourage drivers to push harder as a mistake would cost less highly awarding race.
the new format
On Friday there will be a one-hour free practice session before moving on to qualifying with a familiar format in the afternoon of the same day with the Q1, Q2 and Q3 sessions. This will determine the grill on Sunday.
The F-1 teams decided to change the Saturday format, which now features a shorter qualification that will serve to determine the starting grid order for the sprint race that will be held later.
This session will replace the second free exercise where no meaning was found.
Sprint qualifying on Saturday will follow the Q1, Q2 and Q3 format, with sessions reduced from normal. Q1 will be 12 minutes, Q2 10 minutes and Q3 eight minutes.
Teams will need to save three sets of new tires to be used in the three shootout sessions, with the mandatory mediums for Q1 and Q2 of sprint qualifying and the softs for Q3.
With these changes, the sprint race result will no longer determine positions for Sunday’s race.
It was also agreed that penalties incurred by a driver in the sprint event and not delivered in the sprint event will be applied to Sunday’s feature race.
As usual, gearbox and power unit penalties incurred over the weekend will carry over to the grand prix.
The sprint race lasts only 30 minutes and offers a reward to the top eight. The winner takes eight points for the championship and is awarded up to eighth place, each lower than the previous position.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
