2024 Singapore GP. Photo: RacePictures

Debate - Is the Singapore GP a suitable venue for a sprint format?

20:16, 16 Sep

Updated: 21:08, 16 Sep

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byTobia Elia

The decision to include Singapore among the six venues hosting sprint weekends in 2026 is sparking debate.

Lando Norris, 2024 Singapore GP. Photo: Race Pictures

Singapore to host a sprint weekend in 2026

On Tuesday, the six venues set to host the sprint weekends next season were officially announced: China, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands (making its final appearance before leaving the calendar), and Singapore, scheduled for the weekend of 9-11 October.

The Marina Bay sprint race, in particular, is generating debate among fans and insiders, as it is seen as a track that doesn’t offer enough exciting racing or overtaking opportunities.

Known for its twisty layout and being one of the most physically demanding Grands Prix, the circuit has undergone several changes over the past year, with the former trio of corners leading into the tunnel replaced by a straight section with an extra DRS zone specifically added to encourage overtaking.

Despite the additional fourth DRS zone, there wasn’t a significant difference last year compared to the 2023 edition, with the 2024 GP recording 12 fewer overtakes than two years earlier racing in the old layout.

Domenicali seeks more F1 sprint races in the future

"I do believe there are possibilities to extend two things, which we need to discuss, both with the drivers and the teams, and, of course, with the FIA," the F1 CEO said in an interview last month when addressing the sprint races topic.

"Can we apply that [sprint weekends] to more races? And is this the right formula to have the opportunity to have a reversed grid, like we do in F2 and F3? These are discussion points".

"I think that the sprint, whatever will be the right format, we need to have it. It will represent the future.''

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