Sprint format possibly shaken up again: also a reward for Grand Slam

From 2021, sprint races have been added to the F1 calendar. Here, just like on a normal race weekend, a driver can achieve a Grand Slam. This means that during a race weekend, a driver has taken the pole in qualifying and the sprint shootout and then won the sprint and main race.

Reward for dominant F1 driver

No fewer than six sprint races are on the calendar this year. Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 CEO, believes that if someone achieves a Grand Slam, that driver should be recognised for it. "There is a proposal I would like to make, in line with the concept of the 'Grand Slam'. The [idea] is that the driver who takes the two pole positions and two wins over the weekend should be recognised with something extra, something that reflects what kind of sporting achievement they have made," the CEO toldMotorsport.com.

The award will then be given to the driver who achieves pole position and victory in both races. Whether this idea will go ahead is not certain. Talks with the teams need to take place first, as it will be more about a reward than a point for the championship.

Formula 1's sprint format to be shaken up

Besides this prize, there may be something else new within Formula 1. Indeed, team bosses have suggested flipping the schedule of sprint races. Currently, qualifying for the main race takes place on Friday, along with FP1. On Saturday is the sprint shootout and the sprint race itself. Followed by the main race on Sunday.

Team bosses want to flip this to the following idea: sprint shootout on Friday, Saturday morning the sprint race with qualifying for the main race in the afternoon and Sunday the official Grand Prix. However, it is a gamble to change the sprint format again, as loyal fans with their own habits do not want this, according to Domenicali.