Getting Sprint Races right is a marathon, and fans must be more patient

By Sanjay Suri

The first Formula One sprint weekend using the new format certainly divided opinion amongst fans. On the one hand, the extra competitive running meant that more was at stake with each passing session, resulting in more nail-biting racing action.

On the other hand, experts have argued that it has led to too much predictability, with the sprint race almost being a spoiler for what # would happen on the Sunday. On top of this, the Friday afternoon qualifying meant that many missed watching this due to work commitments.

On the whole, I would argue that the first new sprint weekend was a success. It was a wise move to introduce the format at Baku, where overtaking, defending and chaos are rife. One must only look at the Formula Two sprint races to see the potential for this format in Azerbaijan. Both the traditional qualifying and the ‘Sprint Shootout’ on Saturday morning were excellent watches.

For the first time this season, a team looked like they could take the fight to Red Bull on one-lap pace, and Charles Leclerc converted this to two P1 starts. It was not without drama though. Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen were constantly within a couple of tenths.

Sprint races give the organisers a free hit to experiment with different formats, whilst leaving the main race on Sunday largely unaffected

It took a very special lap from Leclerc on Friday to seal pole and errors from both his rivals to be fastest on Saturday morning. The one downside was that both qualifying sessions produced similar looking grids. It was a good idea to mix up the format for the sprint shootout, mandating running new tyres, with the medium tyre being compulsory in SQ1 and SQ2.

It led to a situation where drivers were constantly out on track, rather than spending most of their time in the pits changing tyres and topping up fuel. The lap times tumbled as the session went on, meaning that track position was paramount. However, more variation is required for a more mixed-up grid. One idea that has been put forward is one-shot qualifying, where drivers go out one-by-one and set one lap to determine their grid place.

This was tried in the early 2000s but soon ditched. Now is the time to bring it back. With better coverage, more camera angles, and drivers with larger followings, the event will be more interesting and engaging to watch.

This is why the sprint races have potential. It gives the organisers a free hit to experiment with different formats, whilst leaving the main race on Sunday largely unaffected. If something fails to work, it can be axed. Elimination qualifying was a disaster, and the organisers ditched it after just two races.

Was staging the main qualifying session on Friday a good idea? Unfortunately, we are destined to see competitive running on Friday, and this is not necessarily a bad idea. It is frustrating for casual fans, but it rewards those at the circuit, who must not be forgotten about. As long as the organisers do not use this as an opportunity to increase ticket prices, this is certainly a decent idea.

F1’s best solution is to look to its feeder series, Formula Two

The sprint race on Saturday afternoon did leave a lot to be desired. Once Perez overtook Leclerc, there was little to fight for. This was the same in the format of sprint races that was used last year though. Whilst drivers can now take more risks knowing it does not affect their grid slot for the Grand Prix, they are also wary of smashing up their car for very few points.

So how can we add more jeopardy to the sprint race? F1’s best solution is to look to its feeder series, Formula Two. Reversing the entire grid seems too artificial and almost rewards drivers too much for having a poor qualifying. What about having just one qualifying session and reversing only the top ten?

Currently, this would most likely lead to seeing the likes of McLaren and Alpine lining up on the front row for the sprint race. The fight in Q2 will be huge, as the difference between tenth and eleventh has never been larger. The only drawback is that midfield cars who make it to Q3 will have little incentive to set a lap time, if they know that they could line up on reverse-grid pole if they stay in the pits.

This is why we should reverse the top eight. It gives us a mixed-up grid for the sprint race, but drivers will need to push in Q3 in order to get to reverse-grid pole. Yes, it will still leave backmarkers with little to fight for on Saturday afternoon, but often they have little to fight for in a conventional race with little drama.

Whatever direction they choose, F1 has many ideas for how to evolve sprint races. Fans must give them time to see what works and what does not work. It is admirable that they are trying new ideas, and, in the long run, I do believe that this is what the sport needs to maintain its growth.

Image: Joe McGowan via Flickr