Domenicali confirms: Sprint races' future revealed and this may change

18:09, 11 Aug

bySandy van Wijngaarden

Formula 1 is always looking for new ways to develop and entertain its fans. Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, has discussed the adaptation of the sprint format.

At the moment, Formula 1 has six sprint weekends per year where the qualifying for the sprint race takes place on Friday and the sprint race is held on Saturday.

The new format that the leading class introduced for the first time in 2021 has both supporters and detractors.

However, Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, has no plans to abolish sprint races. The Italian is, in fact, looking to increase the application of the format.

Domenicali is open to more sprint weekends per year

"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 CEO told The Race.

"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".

Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1

"II think that we are getting there to be mature to make sure that this point will be tackled seriously with the teams.

"The vibes to progress in this direction are definitely growing, and therefore I'm ready to present and to discuss not only more sprints…but if there are new formats, new ideas," the Italian continued.

The dismissal of the format is out of the question according to the former Ferrari team boss.

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