Formula 1 introduces brand new award after qualifying

On Saturday the first ever sprint race in Formula 1 takes place at Silverstone and that will provide a lot of new rules this weekend. After qualifying on Friday, the drivers will drive a short race of 17 laps on Saturday, the result of which will determine the starting grid for Sunday.

Changes to qualifying

The fastest driver in qualifying will not get the official pole position to his name this weekend. That will go to the winner of the sprint race on Saturday. For the fastest driver in qualifying on Friday, Formula 1 has created something new; the Pirelli Speed King Award. Yes, you read it correctly. This Speed King gets to start at the front in the sprint race and of course, has the best chance to take pole position.

Renewed ceremony

In the sprint race, there are also points to be won in addition to pole position. The top three get three, two and one points. However, the top three of the sprint race will not get an official podium finish behind their name. There will also be no podium ceremony.

However, there will be a so called sprint victory lap after the sprint race. Formula 1 has also announced that there will be a return of the laurel wreaths. These will be awarded to the top three of the sprint race. They used to be part of the podium ceremony. The wreaths are, according to Formula One, "uniquely designed and with a modern twist".

Brand new and exciting format

Alexandre Molina, director of events at Formula 1, is excited about the new F1 weekend. "It's a brand new and exciting format, so we thought it was important to come up with a post-race moment that was just as special," he said on Motorsport.com. "The moment acknowledges the seven decades of history in the sport and combines it with a modern twist - very similar to the sprint itself."