Apr.30 - Max Verstappen says Formula 1 should "scrap" the entire sprint race weekend concept.
The world champion's disdain for the "artificial" idea was worsened on Saturday when he finished only third behind Charles Leclerc and his own Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
But seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton put his thumbs up to the sprint, with the format tweaked for its 2023 debut this weekend with the addition of an extra short qualifying or 'sprint shootout' session.
"I generally like it," Hamilton said.
"A lot of time is usually wasted in a weekend, so I think it's good like this."
But according to Verstappen, Liberty Media-owned F1 has gone too far with its campaign of improving the 'show'.
"It's like being 3-0 up in football and then they say 'ok reset it to 0-0 and let's go again'. I was bored in the qualifying. It's too artificial.
"I'm like 'my God, another qualifying?' It's not real racing."
Williams' Alex Albon agrees with the world championship leader.
"Honestly, I don't really like it," he said. "Only the top teams get points in the sprints so it just puts them another step ahead."
Ferrari's Leclerc disagrees slightly, insisting that he doesn't "hate" the sprint weekend format.
"I think this is a better format than last year's sprint format," he said. "But I wouldn't want it to be the standard format in the future.
"I think it's fine if we have three, four races like this in a year."
Verstappen, however, has another idea.
"Just scrap the whole thing," he said.
"I think it's just important to go back to what we had and make sure that every team can fight for a win - that's what we have to try and aim for. Not try to implement all this kind of artificial excitement."
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4 F1 Fan comments on “F1 drivers divided over sprint race format: scrap it or keep it?”
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The slightly altered sprint format is certainly better without a practice session under parc ferme restrictions & I wouldn't mind if sprints became even more common next season.
I'm largely indifferent, but driver views are also good.
Albon especially makes a good point, & while Max's suggestion of making sure every team can fight for a win is good in theory, achieving this is easier said than done because F1 isn't a spec-series like F2, IndyCar, Super Formula, etc., & probably will never fully become one despite the budget cap & wind tunnel-CFD time allocations.
Having a sprint qualifying in Baku or Monaco isn’t worth the potential damage to the cars. Plus the limited access to passing. It is fine for the top 3-4 teams who have larger resources but teams with smaller budgets have more to lose than gain. It is entertaining but would not be missed if done away with. F1 would be more exciting if pits lanes were closed during safety car yellow flags and doing away with DRS. Racng with less advantages. More old school.
Completely agree with you, Susan! I believe the whole concept of sprint races for this type of car is contrary to the whole idea of F1, which was conceived as a development and endurance formula where designers and manufacturers could test new and sometimes radical engineering theories.
I mean, if people want to see sprint races and all the extravaganza that goes with it, they can go to the speedway! I periodically go to the speedway and watch the sprint races, and it is fun and exciting to watch. However, the speedway format is a completely different concept to F1, and they should remain separated. Whoever came up with the idea of sprint racing for F1 is misguided and doesn't really understand the purpose of F1.
F1 is not just a cash cow for Liberty Media!
I agree with Susan but for all races. Some day there will be a huge shunt in some sprint with cars that can't be repaired on time.
I can't remember who came up with the sprint idea but it's probably only about money.
Anyone for the 3 HOURS OF LE MANS, on the Friday before?. How about the THE INDIANAPOLIS 35, on Saturday?? Come on now!
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