This is the new F1 Sprint 2023 format, with two different classifications

FifthTwenty years after the smooth change to Formula 1, There’s a new weekend format coming to Sprint, The third in three years, which can be considered a “smooth” Grand Prix. Next week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be the start of a hectic programme, leaving no session without major importance for the rest of the weekend. There is only one free session and the rest is a looping course that goes on Saturday morning, with a second classification and continues with two different races now.

It was the request of the pilots Distinguish well between Sprint, Sunday and F1 racing, Through Stefano Domenicali, it has already received the unanimous approval of the ten teams on the grid, for a system that seems more balanced and that will enhance the show. Perhaps, if all goes well, the future is for all F1 Grands Prix in the future.

Not decided yet The final rules must be approved by the FIA ​​and all parties at a World Council which must take place on April 26, two days before the start of the Baku Grand Prix. But everything indicates that the weekend will be like this:

Friday

Free practice 1 (11.30): 60 minutes, as always, which is the only time you can set the pace for one lap and race pace for the rest of the weekend. There’s no time to test parts or make big car comparisons, lest one driver get seriously hurt.

Official rating (15.00): in format Q1, Q2, and Q3, conventional, (18, 15 and 12 minutes, respectively). This session will determine The starting order for Sunday’s race and the winner is considered a trainee From the weekend and the person who will get the Pirelli Cup which is awarded in these cases.

Saturday

Sprint Rating (11.30): Do Big news Part of the season is a set short sprint session in the afternoon and different from traditional qualifying. It will have Q1, Q2 and Q3, but in a reduced format of 12, 10 and 8 minutesrespectively.

What is still to be agreed upon is What has been done in the last 8 minutes, If they’ve been the same so far, with the top 10 on track at the same time Or a one-lap format per car. Solution April 26th.

Sprint (15.30): It is still not called a profession and, for now, it will still be Run 100 km (15 laps) 8 points will be awarded to the first, in the following order

Firstly: 8 points.

second: 7 points.

third: 6 points.

room: 5 points.

Fifth: 4 points.

VI: 3 points.

Seventh: 2 points.

eighth: 1 spot.

Sunday

Race (1:00 pm): Traditional as usual 51 laps and the starting order decided on Friday afternoon And not as Sprint ended, as it was in 2021 and 2022.

It is another novelty, which Both scoring sessions are independent And that the risk in one does not compromise the loss in the other.

Carlos Sainz He has always been one of the biggest advocates of this new format, and Domenicali, like the rest of the pilots, has taken his opinion into account for the design of the new, yet to be decided, GP: “This is the title we asked Formula 1 and the FIA ​​if they wanted more spectacle. They consulted us and we said we needed to not count the Sprint on the grid on Sunday. So I’m glad they took our comments into account and this should be the right way to an even more exciting weekend,” he told Motorsport.com in Australia.

Six races in 2023

Six major races have already been scheduled this year and not three (yet), as the sprints will take place in 2023:

1. Azerbaijan (28-30 April)

2. Austria (June 30 – July 2)

3. Belgium (July 28-30)

4. The State of Qatar (6-8 October)

5. United State – Austin (October 20-22)

6. Brazil (November 3-5)