Debate | There should be a separate Sprint championship in Formula 1

In the 2023 season, there will be six Sprints and the number is likely to increase in the coming years. Sprint is here to stay in Formula 1. These mini-races - a third of the Grand Prix distance - thus take on an increasingly important role in the Formula One World Championship. Good or bad results in Sprints can make or break a season, raising the question of whether it would not be better to set up a separate Sprint Championship. We are happy to put this to GPblog readers: 'There should be a stand-alone Sprint Championship'.

In one sense, Formula 1 has always been a traditional sport: the driver who scored the most points at the Grands Prix during the season could call himself world champion at the end of the year. In practice, nowadays it is possible to take the most points of anyone on Sunday but still not be able to add a World Championship title. If there are indeed more Sprints in the coming seasons, the chances are therefore further increased.

More championships in other sports

Commentator David Croft told Sky Sports that, as far as he is concerned, Formula 1 should opt for a separate championship of Sprints. He referred to, for example, the sport popular in England, cricket, which has T20s, ODIs and Test matches. The rules of the game are the same each time, but they are three different disciplines. And on each discipline, a team can be the best. Besides, Croft argued, a separate Sprint championship is a great move in terms of marketing - because more attention.

Opponents might argue that a separate Sprint title race (and possibly a different overall winner) detracts from the Formula One World Championship. After all, there is now one champion, the best in Formula 1. If Verstappen takes his fourth title in 2024, might he have to share it with a Lando Norris, who was the best in the Sprints? In short, there are still some snags. What do you think? Comment on our statement: 'There should be a stand-alone Sprints championship'.