Sprint races are useless; 'I really don't understand the point of it'

Since the announcement that sprint racing will be considered for the 2021 season, more and more drivers, analysts and former drivers have had their say. Alongside positive comments, there have also been critical voices, with some wondering what exactly the point of it would be. Former F1 driver Christian Klien argues that it is a bit pointless, as the cars are getting closer to each other anyway.

Useless addition

In addition to what Nico Hulkenberg said on Austria's ServusTV, Klien says: "If the cars are closer together, then the race on Sunday is also more exciting. And a sprint race doesn't really make sense either. If Hamilton and Verstappen finish first and second in the sprint, they will probably also finish first and second on Sunday."

"From that point of view, I really don't understand the point of it. Of course, they are trying to make the whole thing artificially more exciting, but I think the basic recipe should be for the cars to get closer together. Then the rest will come naturally." And we've already seen a bit of that getting closer together in 2020, which is expected to be even more so this year.

Qualifying is exciting

In 2022, the regulations will change with possibly even less difference between the cars on the track, making sprint races redundant from that perspective. Klien is therefore in favour of keeping the format as it is, without any artificial additions or changes.

According to Motorsport-Total.com he says: "I don't like it. I like the format as it is now. Especially qualifying I actually find very exciting, that knock-out system." With the addition of sprint races, that concept will move somewhat into the background as qualifying is then for the sprint race and the result of that race determines the starting line-up for Sunday.