More sprint races next year: that’s what F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali wants

The first Formula 1 sprint weekend was held at Silverstone in 2021, and since then the number of World Championship races held in the sprint format has grown steadily. Most recently, the Formula 1 stars competed in a mini-race at the latest Grand Prix weekend in the UK. It was the 28th Formula 1 Sprint and the fourth Sprint race this year. The Grand Prix drivers are also set to compete in Sprints at Zandvoort and Singapore.

And if Stefano Domenicali has his way, the number of sprints held each year will increase even further. The former Ferrari team principal and current Formula 1 CEO is a self-confessed fan of the sprint programme, which treats spectators at the circuit to an exciting battle for the fastest lap as early as Friday, rather than ‘just’ two free practice sessions.

Speaking to colleagues from ‘Sky Sports F1’ in the Silverstone paddock, he said: ‘People are always sceptical at the start; that was the case with the sprints too, if we recall. But I think we need to be bold and give unusual ideas a chance.’

“You can see the impact too,” emphasises the Italian, referring to the record spectator numbers recorded by the British race organisers this year. “If you’ve already got 150,000 people at the circuit on Friday, then you have to give them action on the track. Anything else would be wrong,” he is certain.

That is why work is already underway behind the scenes to increase the number of sprint weekends in a season. Domenicali declined to confirm reports that as many as 8 to 10 World Championship rounds are set to be held in sprint format as early as next year. However, he made it clear: “I think this is the direction we need to take. And we are in the process of confirming a greater number of sprints for the future. That will happen when we announce the new calendar, and that will be very, very soon.”

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