Brawn: 'Pole position no longer appointed to sprint race winner'

A lot of changes await Formula 1 in 2022. Not only will the rules for the cars be changed and the development of the engines be frozen, we will also get the longest calendar ever and more sprint races. Sporting director Ross Brawn explains the plans surrounding the sprint races in more detail.

Six sprint races in 2022

This season the sprint races were introduced for the first time. After Silverstone and Monza, the third and final sprint race of the season will be held in Brazil. In 2022, this number will be increased. "We want to introduce it over six weekends in 2022, " Brawn revealed to the likes of The Telegraph. The final decision on this will be made soon.

According to Brawn the response to the sprint races is very positive. "Especially because there is also more action on Friday instead of just two practice sessions. The fans who have been watching Formula 1 for years haven't turned off their television either. It is also very interesting for the promoters of all races, because Fridays are becoming more popular."

Still, Brawn wants to guard against taking too radical steps with the sprint races. "We are quite conservative, because we don't want to overdo it. And next year's new cars are already making a big change."

Pole position to fastest man in qualifying again?

One of the aspects of the sprint races that has been much criticised is the allocation of pole position to the winner of the sprint race rather than the fastest man in qualifying. According to Brawn, this is something that is being discussed. "We are still going to talk about the exact interpretation for next year though. This is on the agenda." Brawn lets it be known that he is hopeful that this will be adjusted.

It would possibly not be the only adjustment to the sprint races. "We are also looking at whether there could be more points to be earned on Saturday. That would make it more interesting for drivers to race on Saturday. But again it shouldn't be too many points, with a view to the actual race on Sunday." Which Grand Prix weekends will have a sprint race is not yet known.