The Formula 1 sprint weekend format, a subject of much debate among fans and drivers alike, is set to undergo significant changes in 2024, earning applause from several top drivers. In a move to enhance the six sprint weekends scheduled for China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Brazil, and Qatar, adjustments have been made following a recent F1 Commission meeting in London.
A notable shift is the restructuring of track sessions, with sprint qualifying now slated for Friday, preceding the sprint race, which will kick off Saturdays. This reordering allows the main qualifying round to follow the sprint, creating a more dynamic and logical weekend schedule.
Perhaps equally impactful are the modifications to the parc ferme regulations. Teams will now have the flexibility to tweak car setups after the first day, addressing a common concern among teams and drivers regarding the rigidity of previous rules.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz voiced his approval, emphasizing the importance of allowing teams and drivers to adjust their cars for optimal performance. “I like the changes,” Sainz remarked, noting the adjustments as a “step in the right direction” for the sport.
Max Verstappen, a vocal critic of the sprint format, acknowledged the updates as “more logical,” conceding that the ability to alter setups could mitigate the consequences of setup misjudgments. However, he remains lukewarm on the sprint races themselves, indicating a preference for further enhancements.
Pierre Gasly of Alpine hailed the revisions as a “big” improvement, lamenting the previous restrictions that stifled team strategists and engineers from making significant adjustments throughout the weekend. “It was kind of sad not being able to play with anything except a couple of things on the front wing, so I think this is good for Formula 1,” Gasly stated, reflecting a broader sentiment that the changes could invigorate the sprint weekends.
