Sprint races should follow Brazil example according to Brawn

Ross Brawn, Formula 1's sporting director, sees confirmation in Brazil's sprint race that sprint racing is the right choice for the sport. Speaking to Auto, Motor und Sport Brawn said that this sprint race was exactly how Formula 1 initially envisioned the format.

The sprint race in Brazil was very exciting but the format has received some criticism recently. For instance, Max Verstappen recently claimed that all the luster of racing is gone with a sprint race and George Russell felt that the format needs significant changes. Despite this, Formula 1 is going to bet even more on the sprint race format next year than this year. This season we had three sprint races, in 2023 that will be increased to six.

Brawn feels vindicated by decision

Brawn sees no problem with that choice. As sporting director, he has a central role in the creation of the race weekend and its precise design. For him, the Interlagos circuit is ideally suited to a sprint race. "The sprint works if we keep it on the right circuit," said Brawn. "Overtaking is possible here because every attack also allows a counterattack. That was the main criterion in our choice of the six sprint venues next year. We have now seen a great race, which gives a lot of hope for the main race on Sunday."

Which six races will be preceded by a sprint race next year is not yet known. The committee in charge of that will meet next Friday to discuss the exact design of the sprint race and its role in the race weekend. The outcome is expected to be presented a week later. Over the past two seasons, Formula 1 has experimented with the sprint race format at different circuits. Besides Interlagos, sprint races were also held at the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Monza and Imola.