New F1 Sprint format explained

F1 has revealed a revised sprint race format ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan GP. The F1 Sprint now essentially becomes a standalone event this year, with the outcome no longer determining the grid for Sunday. F1 says the changes should encourage drivers to have “more incentive to push across the 100km race” since any incidents in the Sprint won’t compromise their starting positions for the main race.

• Sprint weekends to feature two qualifying sessions
• Friday qualifying will set grid for Sunday race
• Saturday shootout to determine order for Sprint Race

Sprint Shootout to set grid for Sprint Race

Earlier, all Sprint rounds would have qualifying on Friday, followed by the Sprint Race on Saturday. The results of the Sprint would then determine the grid for Sunday’s race. But now, we’ll have two different qualifying sessions.

Under the revised rules, Fridays will now include the only practice session of the weekend, followed by qualifying, which will set the starting order for Sunday. An additional ‘Sprint Shootout’ will be held on Saturday, in place of the second practice session, to set the grid for the Sprint Race later that day.

This shootout will be shorter than traditional qualifying, with SQ1 for 12 minutes, SQ2 for 10 minutes and SQ3 for eight minutes. New tyres are mandatory for each phase – mediums in SQ1 and SQ2, and softs in SQ3. This means drivers will have enough time to set two runs in SQ1, with one pitstop in between. But for SQ2 and SQ3, they won’t have enough time for a pit stop, which means the pressure is on to put together a perfect lap on the first run itself.

Points for the Sprint Race remain the same as before, with eight points awarded to the winner, seven for second place, six for third place, down to one point for eighth place.

Single F1 practice session at Sprint rounds

The shorter Sprint Shootout replaces FP2 on a Sprint weekend. This means teams will have just one hour of practice on Friday to collect data, determine the right set-up and basically finalise the car for the whole weekend.

So, expect to see a much busier FP1 session. Sunday’s running remains unchanged.

How will the new Sprint format impact penalties?

Any grid penalties handed out for FP1 or qualifying will apply to the race. Grid penalties incurred in the Sprint Shootout will apply to the Sprint Race, and finally, any grid penalties incurred in the Sprint will be applied to Sunday’s race.

Any breach of parc ferme will result in a pit lane start for both, the Sprint race and main race. But power unit penalties will only apply to the race.

F1 engine limit increased

Given the extra running, each driver is now permitted to use four internal combustion engines, turbochargers, MGU-H and MGU-K elements for 2023 only – up from the three allowed earlier.

2023 F1 Sprint venues

The 2023 F1 season will feature a total of six Sprint weekends. The first of these is at the Azerbaijan GP, and the other venues are Austria, Belgium, Qatar, USA (Circuit of the Americas) and Sao Paulo.

Also see:

Verstappen wins chaotic Australian GP as only 12 cars finish