The new sprint format causes discussions

“I think it's quite good, but instead of 17 laps we can also do five or eight laps,” said Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff after the pilot project on Saturday in Silverstone. After an exciting starting phase, the Viennese found the sprint to be “a bit boring towards the end”.

The qualification with the three knockout rounds had been brought forward to Friday, and on Saturday the drivers determined the starting grid for the British Grand Prix on Sunday in a 17-lap sprint. The goal of the Formula 1 bosses: more action for the spectators. Hamilton is for a Saturday-Sunday weekend World champion Lewis Hamilton even suggested shortening the weekend to two days with the sprint. “In my opinion, it's enough if it's a Saturday and Sunday weekend,” said the Mercedes driver, because that saves you a day. This is also better in terms of the environment.

However, Formula 1 and the Grand Prix organizers make a lot of money with three-day events. Wolff welcomed the additional show. “We have Friday night primetime TV, we have Saturday night primetime TV and of course the Grand Prix,” he said. But he thinks the training on Saturday was “a bit random”. You can “fine the format a little bit, but basically, if we do four races like this, I’m for it.” “We will not change the basic format this year.” Formula 1 sports director Ross Brawn Ross Brawn draws a positive interim conclusion. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / CLIVE MASON

F1 sports director Ross Brawn wants to evaluate the feedback - not least from the fans. The new format will be tried out twice this year. “We will not change the basic format this year. After the three races we can sit down together and decide what to do next. But so far it's very positive," he said.

Brawn also wants to address whether the winner of the sprint will be allowed to claim pole position in the future and not the winner of the qualification. Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel and other drivers sharply criticized this change.

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The new sprint format causes discussions

After the first edition of the sprint, Formula 1 is debating whether to adjust the format.

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