27/09/2022
NEWS STORY
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."