Formula 1 to have only three sprint weekends in 2023

Opinions on sprint racing are still strongly divided. After a successful pilot in 2021, the number was to be doubled in the 2022 Formula One season, but that did not happen. The provisional regulations for 2023 suggest that there will probably also be only three sprint weekends on the calendar next year.

The sporting regulations for the new season were approved by the FIA World Council on 19 July. The regulations state that there will be only three sprint weekends in 2023 as well. Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali would like to see that number doubled. "We believe that a Grand Prix weekend is enhanced by a sprint," he said according to Speedweek.com.

Domenicali is enthusiastic because a sprint weekend provides the fans with action every day and because the short practice time increases the challenge for the teams. However, reactions from both drivers and fans remain mixed. The team owners would be open to it, but they demand more money for the extra races. To get six sprint races on the calendar Domenicali needs the agreement of eight of the ten teams.

All sprint races held so far have been won by just two drivers: Max Verstappen won three, while Valtteri Bottas won the other two. The third and final sprint of this year will be held in Brazil, just like last year.