Flavio Briatore’s radical proposal: sprints at every GP weekend

Formula 1 officials introduced sprint races in 2021 with the aim of offering Grand Prix fans at the circuit more action on Fridays than just two free practice sessions. In the first and second years, the drivers competed in three race weekends in the sprint format; the number was then increased to six sprints per season.

This year’s calendar also features six sprint races; four of these have already taken place, with the next one coming up at the upcoming race weekend in Zandvoort, before the final mini-race takes place in Singapore in October.

More action for spectators

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has made it clear that he would like to see more sprints per year. He points to fan surveys which show that this format is hugely popular. Alpine’s special adviser, Flavio Briatore, is also a fan of the sprint races. The Formula 1 manager recently explained in an interview with *The Race* that he is even in favour of holding a mini-race at every World Championship round.

“I think we need to hold sprint races. If it were up to me, we’d have a sprint at every race, because I think we need to offer spectators a bit more. We don’t do anything for the spectators on normal race weekends, because Friday morning is all about technical matters,” explains the Italian.

“You only do two laps, come back to the pits, and the crowd has gone. After Saturday morning, once qualifying is over, there’s the race,” describes the 76-year-old. He emphasises that race weekends held in the sprint format offer much more action for the spectators: “With the sprint race, you at least have two races, two starts, and there’s something at stake. The drivers aren’t just racing for the technology. So as far as I’m concerned: 24 races, 24 sprint races,” Briatore explained.

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