2021 Saturday Sprint Race

[Nitrodaze]

The Long rumoured Sprint race for qualifying is being proposed for a number of events this season. The F1 community is to vote on this in the very near future. The proposed idea is to have normal qualifying on friday to determine the order of the starting grid for the sprint race on Saturday. And the order the Sprint race finish, would determine the starting grid for the full race on Sunday.

I have to say, l am loving this idea.

[Zico]

Yes, they need to do something and I think this idea has real potential in helping improve the spectacle and spicing things up.
I've always felt F1 should be more of a sprint than a marathon so I'm pretty stoked about this format, I'm gonna be a bit gutted if they dont vote it in.

[F1nKS]

I like the idea. It would give more meat to the weekend.

[Bagwan]

I can't see it as workable unless they are allowed a spare car .
And that's expensive .

[Nitrodaze]

I can't see it as workable unless they are allowed a spare car .
And that's expensive .

It is only for three races this season. But it could be problematic if a team have a damaged car during the sprint race. I suppose they would be leaning on the mechanics more those weekends, as they would be required to make all repairs in preparation for the race the following day during the night. These guys can do that. We have seen that done many times in the past. The real trickly bit is availability of parts. If a crucial part is damaged and it is not readily available to the team to fix the car, we may see some cars not take part in the race the next day.

[Nitrodaze]

At last! it is approved.

The venues where Sprint Qualifying would take place is yet to be officially announced. But suggestions in the grapevine is Silverstone, Monza and COTA. Apparently, points would be awarded to the top three finishers of the Saturday qualifying. First place gets three points, 2nd (2 points), and 3rd (1 point).

Bring it on!

[truefan72]

I will admit that I'm intrigued. Which is an upgrade from my previous disdain.
The only thing that needs tweaking are the points. I think the top 8 should be rewarded, or even the top 10.
It makes no sense to simply reward mercedes and red bull with potentially 3-5 extra points every race weekend.

give them to the top 10, with a simple 10-9-8... system and it would probably not change the margins too much, but will give the other teams something to really fight about on Saturday. I understand that it's just to set pole. but you are still stressing the engine and competing for a good number of laps. Seems weird to not reward the driver/teams for that effort.

[airshifter]

Well with this thing confirmed for Silverstone now, we will see how it all works out.

I still don't personally like the idea. It's a short period of time and too much chance for real carnage in the pack as everyone fights for GP starting positions and possibly a few points. All it takes is a bad move and that bad move, contact or not, has the potential to screw up multiple drivers race weekend. It already happens in the GP's, and the short time frame and GP grid probably means it will be more likely to happen during the sprint. Not the best idea if you ask me.

As for points, agree with the above. Giving points for only three spots will likely just reward the top teams already more, and the lower ranking teams need the money for development more.

[Nitrodaze]

Well, what do we think of the sprint race? Qualifying was ok as we are used to that format. But l have a feeling it would be better with the next season cars which are said to be a lot closer. With the current cars, it did not throw up many surprises. That said, the wise old head of Alonso took full advantage of the sprint race and qualified 7th for the race tomorrow. Though, he was weaving a lot at corners most of the time and the stewards seemed to turn a blind eye to it. Where was that consistency we keep talking about?

It was also brilliant for Russell, but a disaster for Perez. Apart from those, it was very much a procession really. The Mclarens were nowhere to be found from their usual top four positions. I would have thought the sprint may have benefitted Mclaren a lot more with the sort of pace they showed at the last race. What happened there l wonder?

However, it was great to experience what a sprint weekend would look like. And l hope they keep it in the program in the future.

[F1nKS]

Hamilton seemed to like it.

I thought it made Friday and Saturday more entertaining.

[Nitrodaze]

Hamilton seemed to like it.

I thought it made Friday and Saturday more entertaining.

It may be even better on other tracks with the right characteristics for overtaking and closer racing.

[airshifter]

I still just don't know. It seems like there is much more potential for problems, and few drivers will advance.

Blazer of a run by Alonso for sure, but with little to lose why not? But I'm not sure if we want that as it encourages drivers to push really hard if they are farther back. I'd hate to see strong cars yield to preserve the car if someone tosses a Kobayashi hard down the inside where there isn't room.

Today was a prime example. Using the tow Merc got a car to the front to start. But a mediocre start means only a short time to try to get that position back.

As for post sprint, I thought the drive around the track in the truck doing the interviews was just cheesy.... at best. :laugh:

[Zico]

Other than Alonso being out of position after his stunning start and Perez having to work his way back through the field, I hope this qualifying order for tomorrow is not as indicative of race pace as I fear it could be... as it could mean less wheel to wheel racing than normal Qualy gives us, which would be a big fail.

[Nitrodaze]

I still just don't know. It seems like there is much more potential for problems, and few drivers will advance.

Blazer of a run by Alonso for sure, but with little to lose why not? But I'm not sure if we want that as it encourages drivers to push really hard if they are farther back. I'd hate to see strong cars yield to preserve the car if someone tosses a Kobayashi hard down the inside where there isn't room.

Today was a prime example. Using the tow Merc got a car to the front to start. But a mediocre start means only a short time to try to get that position back.

As for post sprint, I thought the drive around the track in the truck doing the interviews was just cheesy.... at best. :laugh:

That was reminiscent of the Kimi's 10 places overtake a few seasons back

[Bagwan]

I did not like it at all .
For me , it took away from the anticipation for both the qualifying and for
the main race .

It is not F1 to me , and I pray they do not adopt this sprint idea permanently .

[truefan72]

I did not like it at all .
For me , it took away from the anticipation for both the qualifying and for
the main race .

It is not F1 to me , and I pray they do not adopt this sprint idea permanently .

I'm pretty much in this camp.
All it does is give extra points to the top 2 teams and render qualy meaningless.
If they want to add a sprint race then fine, add a sprint race, but don't tell me it is a qualy race.
and if you make it a sprint race, then award points from 1-10 and reverse the grid from the Q3 runners.
That is the only way I see this as salvageable.

[Nitrodaze]

I'm pretty much in this camp.
All it does is give extra points to the top 2 teams and render qualy meaningless.
If they want to add a sprint race then fine, add a sprint race, but don't tell me it is a qualy race.
and if you make it a sprint race, then award points from 1-10 and reverse the grid from the Q3 runners.
That is the only way I see this as salvageable.

Actually, that is the most interesting suggestion offered so far. A reverse grid for the sprint would be quite interesting. I would add, extending the session to 45 minutes or 25 laps.

[truefan72]

Actually, that is the most interesting suggestion offered so far. A reverse grid for the sprint would be quite interesting. I would add, extending the session to 45 minutes or 25 laps.

yeah!
at least there is a chance of some overtakes and tire deg at that distance.
Plus I would add a free tire choice as well

[Nitrodaze]

yeah!
at least there is a chance of some overtakes and tire deg at that distance.
Plus I would add a free tire choice as well

Yep, that should do it.

[Bagwan]

No .
It aint broke , so don't try to fix F1 .

Add some more support races .
Give out T-shirts .
Add more concerts .
Sky-writer tic-tac-toe , I don't know .

Just don't change the basic format I've been watching since the damn 70s .


Aaaaaaaaaaaargh !

[The Black Knight]

No .
It aint broke , so don't try to fix F1 .

Add some more support races .
Give out T-shirts .
Add more concerts .
Sky-writer tic-tac-toe , I don't know .

Just don't change the basic format I've been watching since the damn 70s .


Aaaaaaaaaaaargh !

Agreed. No one tries to change 90 mins in football, or 40 mins Rugby. The format should be standard. There's no reason to alter it when it works so well.

[Nitrodaze]

No .
It aint broke , so don't try to fix F1 .

Add some more support races .
Give out T-shirts .
Add more concerts .
Sky-writer tic-tac-toe , I don't know .

Just don't change the basic format I've been watching since the damn 70s .


Aaaaaaaaaaaargh !

Too late for that. From next season it would be permanently fixed. You can thank Ross Brawn for that.

[Bagwan]

Too late for that. From next season it would be permanently fixed. You can thank Ross Brawn for that.

As I understand it , these sprint races have been described as trials , and it is not set in stone for the future .

I will thank nobody if they chose to adopt it permanently .
I will consider purchasing a Ross voodoo doll .

[The Black Knight]

So the next Sprint race will be at Monza - 18 laps. I think this is a mistake, they should have done it at Spa.

[Nitrodaze]

So the next Sprint race will be at Monza - 18 laps. I think this is a mistake, they should have done it at Spa.

Being a power circuit, l think the sprint would be entertaining there. But it would not mix things up enough as it would favour the top teams more. But shall get more entertainment in the midfield between Mclaren and Ferrari and the group of Alpine, Aston Martin, Alpha Tauri etc

It is possible that the sprint was predetermined by the preference of the most influential people in F1. Britain, Italy and USA are where the main people in the F1M originate from. The American owner of the F1M Liberty for USA, Brawn etc for Britain, CEO Demenicalli for Italy. No Belgian in sight

[Firstgear]

I wish they would have announced the locations before the start of the season. Doing it midway through makes it seam as though they are picking tracks that they are hoping will tighten championship.

[Nitrodaze]

I wish they would have announced the locations before the start of the season. Doing it midway through makes it seam as though they are picking tracks that they are hoping will tighten championship.

Actually, the locations were an open secret. The media guessed it would be those three locations as soon as the idea was floated to the press.

[Bagwan]

Finally , one of the drivers has come out and said that he doesn't like the sprint race format .
Thank dog for Mick Schumacher !

He says it might be ok for a few races a year , but feels it only diminishes the main race .
While I disagree it would be ok at all , he made a point about new drivers having difficulty with less practice time before qualifying to arrive at a suitable set-up , that I thought was pertinent here .

There is a "sink or swim" thought that comes to mind , but also the idea that the sprint is supposed to mix it up , and if it just makes it harder for the wee teams , it just pushes the front guys forwards .

I don't think that's what they were aiming for with this sprint idea .


Man , I hope it goes away .

[N. Jones]

Gotta disagree - I loved it!

Does it make qualy meaningless? Yeah, I think so. As long as the sprint is only held a few times a season I am cool with it.