The FIA's World Motor Sport Council has approved an increase in the number of Sprint events from three to six from the 2023 season onwards.

The Sprints, which were first introduced in 2021, have seen a mixed reaction from fans, drivers and teams bosses, see Qualifying take place on Friday, and a Sprint (race) on Saturday which decides the grid for the Grand Prix.

With the regulatory framework now in place to allow for the additional Sprint sessions, confirmation of the specific events at which they will take place will follow in due course.

This season witnesses three Sprints, the first at Imola, the second at the Red Bull Ring and the third in November at Interlagos.

"I am pleased that we can confirm six Sprints will be part of the Championship from 2023 onwards," said F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, "building on the success of the new format introduced for the first time in 2021.

"The Sprint provides action across three days with the drivers all fighting for something right from the start on Friday through to the main event on Sunday, adding more drama and excitement to the weekend.

"The feedback from the fans, teams, promoters, and partners has been very positive and the format is adding a new dimension to Formula 1, and we all want to ensure its success in the future."

"The confirmation that six race weekends featuring Sprint will take place from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship season onwards is another example of the continued growth and prosperity at the highest level of motor sport," added FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

"Thanks to close collaboration with Stefano Domenicali and our colleagues at FOM, we concluded a thorough analysis on the impact of additional Sprint sessions and have adjusted relevant parameters of our work to ensure that they continue to be regulated at the very highest level.

"Sprint sessions provide an exciting dynamic to the race weekend format and have proven to be popular over the past two seasons - I am sure that this positive trend will continue and am pleased that the World Motor Sport Council has today given its approval for them to go ahead."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 28/09/2022 13:25

"@TokyoAussie.....Object lesson one....no one should ever leave champagne in the bottle despite all the fancy stoppers on the market! Once it's been opened it needs to be drunk there and then. Lesson two...just make sure that there is another bottle for race day....hahaha. Or another option, which I have certainly employed is, a fine prosecco for the entre and real champagne for the main event. Not by myself mind you but with a few friends. Works fine for me. Enjoy Singapore..."

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2. Posted by Superbird70, 28/09/2022 11:48

"Actually, the current F1 situation with the sprint races is more like the mediocre comedian that warms up the audience for the Split Enz cover band."

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3. Posted by TokyoAussie, 28/09/2022 8:00

"@kenji

Of course I watch it. I'm a F1 fan.

I think the sprint is more like a quick shot of champagne, but which leaves the champagne bottle flat the next day because half of the sparkle has been dissipated. Give me the champers on race day every time."

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4. Posted by kenji, 28/09/2022 7:12

"@Tokyo Aussie....You haven't said whether, despite your 'revulsion', you actually watch them or not? I would suspect some of the 'naysayers' do actually watch the sprints with a modicum of interest if for no other reason than nagging curiosity. After all the results do add colour to the following GP and can effect subsequent strategic opportunities for the teams on race day. Sprints are like an 'aperatif', a taste before the main course! A glass of Moet before the Chateau Latour."

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5. Posted by kenji, 28/09/2022 6:50

"@ Defiant...you've got me all curious now. For the record...when the sprint is due do you simply turn the set off, go and paint the laundry/make a long coffee and then return when the sprint is finished or do you just watch the race as a completely solo event. In other words is your weekend viewing only different by not having a FP3 to watch?. I frequently have to miss an FP session due to the timing if it starts and finishes in the early am's. That doesn't really effect my weekends racing at all as I view on playback recording at a sensible time. As the sprints only last for 30 mins or so don't you think that there's a lot of 'hoo har' about very little really and people are just using this minor deviation in pre GP presentation as a means of faux petulant look at me'ism? As I said, very curious."

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6. Posted by TokyoAussie, 28/09/2022 3:17

""building on the success of the new format" ?? Who has deemed them successful. I dislike them intensely. Sprints always gives faster cars a chance to undo a poor qualifying result. And punishes slower cars for a good qualifying result.

Every attempt to widen the action over 3 days leaves me bamboozled. Once upon a time, there was action (plenty of it) over 4 days!

Has the WMSC ever rejected a proposal in recent times? Seems like just a rubber stamp."

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7. Posted by Defiant, 28/09/2022 1:54

"Can't speak for everyone but I watched the first and haven't watched one since. I'm wholeheartedly anti the current format of the sprints and have zero interest in them continuing."

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8. Posted by kenji, 27/09/2022 23:40

"@Defiant...Never too late to join the 'pile-on' hahaha. Judging by the posts so far it would appear that I am [ again ] in a minority! What's new? I do feel that any 'true' follower of F1 would support any race between a full grid of F1 cars rather than a boring FP3. For various reasons it may not be a mad scramble where total caution is dispensed with but faced with the alternative I know that I'll be watching....and all those detractors will shun the event entirely.......by way of exhibiting their personal displeasure...or will they 'sneak a peek'' in order to have something to relate to when they invariably vent their rejection of 'these sprint races'? Enjoy a sprintless Singapore..... "

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9. Posted by kenji, 27/09/2022 23:21

"@ Editor, and any others remotely interested....WOW...obviously my reputation so transparently precedes me! Why bother posting when others can read me like a book. No doubt a best seller but in truth I am, deep down, quietly amused and at the same time humbled by your recognition. Merci bien mon ami. I will leave you with this observation. An era can be judged to be over when its illusions are exhausted. Contemplate...."

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10. Posted by Defiant, 27/09/2022 20:28

"Hahahaha @Editor, I sooooo nearly added your prediction to my first post, but figured I wouldn't steal his thunder. Wish I had now.

I look in the mirror every day and hold a poll to see if I'm a handsome devil, crazy that it always comes back in my favour too."

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11. Posted by Editor, 27/09/2022 17:46

"@ All

Never fear, Kenji will be along soon to tell you that you are all living in the past and that the past means nothing.

He'll tell you that you are wrong, and quote the fan survey carried out by F1 and its pals, which, like Messrs Domenicalli and ben Sulayem, believes the Sprints are wonderful.

"

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12. Posted by Endre, 27/09/2022 17:39

"@R1Racing71 in MotoGP they implemented it completely differently. They barely affected the free practice runs which is so critical for setup, they don't have the same idiotic parc ferme rules, the outcome of sprint race will not change the starting grid for Sunday and they are giving out more points for more riders. Besides, bike racing is a different beast, tire choices can have a much bigger influence and passing is also a different story. "

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13. Posted by rambler, 27/09/2022 17:18

"It has nothing to do with improving the sport its about increasing the profits. Friday has been a cheap way of seeing the cars in action. Include qualy and the ticket price goes up. Sprint Race Saturday, ticket price goes up. "

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14. Posted by Burton, 27/09/2022 17:17

"Pathetic."

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15. Posted by @R1Racing71, 27/09/2022 16:44

"Sprints are here to stay - and there will be more of them so better get used to it.
You maybe aware that Moto GP have also adopted them, so yeah they clearly work."

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2023 calendar to include 6 Sprints

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