Following a contract extension that sees Stefano Domenicali stay on as F1 CEO boss through to 2029, the Italian has strongly suggested at the Australian GP that more Sprints and format changes could be on the way to the sport after 2025 as Liberty Media continue to make changes.
A format change sees the introduction of F1 Sprints
In 2021, F1 Sprints came in, initially for three events. The top 3 got points (3-2-1) and the grid was decided by the result of those races following qualifying.
A tweak came in 2022 as points were available for drivers from P1 to P8 (8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1).
Since 2023, F1 Sprints have been kept away from the main part of the weekend and upped to six events. These rounds now contain two qualifying sessions and two races. China hosts the first F1 Sprint of 2025 next weekend.
Stefano Domenicali looking at more format changes and more F1 Sprint events?
Liberty Media, who are hoping to complete their purchase of MotoGP in the near future, will take control of a series that has Sprints every single weekend alongside the Grand Prix.
Speaking to Sky Italia at the Australian GP on Friday, the former Ferrari F1 team principal discussed the importance of the drivers and teams having something to fight for when they hit the track, and wanting to make it harder for engineers to set the car up for the drivers.
“We have to give to the public every time we go on track something to fight for from a sporting point of view because that’s what interests people.
“So everytime we are out on track we have to get over the fact that there are engineers who would like to do practice on Friday to give the drivers a perfect car.”
Three F1 practice sessions not an interest to many fans, Stefano Domenicali believes
On a F1 Sprint weekend, the format is FP1, Sprint qualifying (Friday), the Sprint and Grand Prix qualifying (Saturday), and the Grand Prix itself (Sunday).
In the main Sprints have tended to be cagey affairs as drivers and teams do not want to damage their cars ahead of Grand Prix qualifying a few hours later.
He outlined that continuing to evolve is important, and the Italian strongly hints at more F1 Sprint events and format changes to come. Liberty Media have not been afraid to shake things up since taking ownership of the sport.
“This aspect [engineers using practice to perfect the cars for drivers] matters to an ever reducing amount of the public, and for this reason we have to invent something new and to not be afraid to challenge something that earlier seemed to be impossible.
“F1 is a growing platform, not only regarding sports but entertainment as well, business, opportunities and relationships.
“It’s a sport which has to remain the focus of the attention for a public which is changing. For this reason we don’t have to take out of context one of the main aspects, which is the racing component.
“Times are changing and so we have to produce content in a true and authentic manner in order to keep the interest alive, in order to please the super interested fans, and the others more interested in the world around us.
“The challenge is to keep our fans the focus, but also to give an opportunity to the true main characters, which are the drivers, to have cars which are interesting to drive in a continuous form of entertainment.”
Co-author: Lucrezia Costa
