World champion, Max Verstappen says Sprints are about damage limitation for the big guns and are only of any importance to those drivers out of position.

While the Sprint concept continues to divide fans and drivers, the fact is that with six of them planned for next season, it is clear that for the sport's powers that be they are here to stay. Indeed, there is talk of even more in 2024, and even a separate championship.

Nonetheless, in the eyes of Max Verstappen they are an irrelevance.

"Every time I do these races, it's about ‘don't get damage, make sure you stay in the top three'," says the Red Bull driver, according to The Independent. "For me, that's not really a race, because you go into the main race and you know there are way more points available anyway, you just risk a bit more there.

"You do another start, which is exciting," he admits, "but it's only really people who are out of position that move forward because only you put a tyre on that just lasts a whole stint and not much happens."

Of course, other than qualifying, it is the start of a Grand Prix that is widely accepted as being the most exciting part of the weekend, which is why the sport's owners want two of them.

"I don't understand what the problem is for that," insists Verstappen, "because we've had so many exciting races, so you don't need to add one-third of a race distance.

"Everyone is so careful anyway, because if you are fighting for third and you have a little touch and you drop to last, you know your Sunday is going to be tough. So probably you won't risk it, so that's not really a race."

Following Sprints at Imola and the Red Bull Ring, which were both won by Verstappen, this weekend is the third and final Sprint of the season. F1 has yet to identify where 2023's six Sprints will be held.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by elsiebc, 08/11/2022 17:19

"As I've said before, make it an exhibition race. Identically prepared cars, different at each track. Porsche Cup cars, Australian Supercars, Skodas, Formula Vees, Spec Miatas... It would open sponsorship money, could promote the race location (just like the pickup trucks for the drivers parade in Texas), and the drivers would have a blast. Just think of all the grins in the paddock afterwards! And the drivers would be all chatty. Better promotion money couldn't buy. "

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2. Posted by kenji, 08/11/2022 11:17

"@ Endre....LOL yes. Some cool comments. The principle is fine by me but with some fine tuning ala your suggestions would also be fine. More races more fun...."

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3. Posted by Defiant, 08/11/2022 3:07

"I'm with Max on this as I've ranted many times before. Endre you make some good points there. Maybe that would help out a terrible format."

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4. Posted by Endre, 08/11/2022 0:25

"@kenji ... LOL ... yes
MotoGP introducing sprint races as well, shows how idiotically this was done in F1. They should adapt their rules if they really want to keep this up, remove these from the cost cap, allocate extra engines for it, allow all damages to be fixed outside of cost cap and curfew, and remove parc ferme rules. That way it may benefit the actual race."

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5. Posted by kenji, 07/11/2022 23:47

"@ Rambler....in a nutshell, no."

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6. Posted by rambler, 07/11/2022 17:12

"I have to agree with Max. The sprint is about damage limitation, be careful, don't crash, don't overtake unless you are really sure that nothing will happen. The teams don't want to rebuild a crashed car overnight and don't want the engine stressed. After all there is a budget cap and a sprint could be very costly in repairs. A sprint after the first couple of laps is just a parade and a way for the fans to see the cars moving. But, doesn't practice do the same thing?
"

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7. Posted by F1nerd, 07/11/2022 16:47

"I agree with Max. get rid of these so called races and go back to a normal weekend of 3 practice sessions, qualifying and the race on Sunday ( at sensible times please)."

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Verstappen still no fan of the Sprint

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