Formula One plans to revamp its sprint format for 2024 with the aim of making race weekends easier to follow, following approval from teams and stakeholders.
The FIA announced on Friday that its Sporting Advisory Committee would submit a final proposal to the F1 Commission in January.
The final calendar for the 2024 sprint events will be released in the coming weeks.”
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Out of this year’s 22 rounds, six were sprint weekends, including the Qatar Grand Prix where Max Verstappen secured his third world title on a Saturday.
Discussions have centered around moving the qualifying “shootout” to Friday, with the 100km race taking place on Saturday morning before the qualifying for the main Sunday grand prix.
The current format includes grand prix qualifying on Friday, with sprint qualifying and a standalone race on Saturday.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner expressed the need for evolution in the sprint format, stating “The sprints in some cases have been slightly underwhelming. There’s no pitstop, it tends to stay in grid order and it’s a little bit like getting a medal for a long run.”
Horner added, “I think it needs a bit more work within the sporting forum and then no doubt we’ll sit down at the next commission meeting early in the New Year and hopefully finalize a format.”
There are considerations for wider points distribution in the sprint race and a possible reverse grid element.
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The F1 Commission also approved updates to technical regulations allowing increased driver cooling to address safety concerns raised by the heat and humidity in Qatar.
Furthermore, it was agreed that teams would not be allowed to work on 2026 car development before the start of the 2025 season.
In 2026, Formula One will introduce a new engine.