Sprint races from 2021 in Formula 1: "If the best are coming out on top"

The details have yet to be fine-tuned, but there is a good chance that in 2021 there will be sprint races on some Saturdays in Formula 1. Daniel Ricciardo thinks it is better than the reverse grid but is not quite fond of it yet.

Ricciardo is not quite fond of it

Liberty Media has been looking for ways to make the Formula 1 race weekend more interesting for the viewer since their entry into Formula 1. In 2021, they now wants to start testing with qualifying on Friday, a sprint race on Saturday and a normal race on Sunday. Ricciardo is not quite fond of it yet.

"At first I was a little apprehensive about this, but I do feel better about the thought of that, than a reverse grid," Ricciardo said in Mclaren's press conference which was attended by GPblog. "Ultimately, if the best drivers and the best teams are coming out on top, and it's not manipulated or artificial, then I'm less scared of it."

More racing in F1

Where a Formula 1 weekend normally consists of three practices, one qualifying and one race, in the new format there will only be one practice. After the practice, qualifying immediately follows and the first race on Saturday. The result of that sprint race is then the starting grid for Sunday's race.

"The most important thing to me is the competition, that's what I love the most. I would like to race more and less practice. So in saying that, it does go towards what I want. But the biggest thing is, I want an F1 win to still feel as big as it should be. I would never want a win to feel diluted or worth less than it should be. As long as the race carries the same value then I'm more open-minded towards that," the Australian concluded.