Two top-tier F1 rivals have found common ground – not wheel-to-wheel, but in their mutual disapproval of the proposed changes to the ‘sprint race’ weekend format for the 2024 season. The Saturday sprint races and extra qualifying sessions, introduced as a means to amplify excitement and viewership, have been met with skepticism and outright disdain, particularly from the drivers themselves.
The US Grand Prix in Austin did not witness the anticipated surge in ticket sales due to the addition of the extra qualifying session and short race. This has led to a wave of reevaluation and reconsideration of the sprint format’s true impact and value.
Max Verstappen, the Red Bull triple world champion and one of Formula 1’s brightest stars, has been vocal about his lack of enthusiasm for the sprint races. “That (short) race doesn’t mean anything to me,” he expressed candidly while in Mexico, adding, “They can do whatever they want, but I don’t find it interesting.”
F1’s management has sensed the urgency to reinvigorate the sprint races and has proposed significant alterations for the 2024 season. Among the more radical ideas is the introduction of a separate sprint race championship and enticing $1 million prizes for each sprint winner. There’s even a contentious suggestion of reverse grids based on world championship standings.
Verstappen, however, remains unimpressed and unmoved. “Why do rules have to be invented again and again to make it more exciting? If you have good races, you don’t need that. Leave it as it is,” he asserted. Drawing parallels with football, Verstappen emphasized stability and consistency in rules, believing that a competitive field is excitement enough.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team boss, finds himself in rare agreement with Verstappen on this matter. “I am conservative in motorsport. I would rather there be no sprint races than play around with it,” he shared, voicing his particular opposition to the reverse grids idea and underscoring the importance of preserving the sport’s integrity over chasing entertainment.
