Monday, October 4th, 2021
Significantly more sprint races in 2022
Formula 1 experiment inspires organizers
In the current season, Formula 1 is holding sprint races to make the racing weekends more attractive. The experiment has obviously been a success, the format is to be expanded in the new year. And maybe even a new title will then be awarded.
Formula 1 wants to focus even more on sprint races in the coming year. Managing director Stefano Domenicali explained in an interview with Sky Sports that “in more or less a third of the races” the format should be retained, which had already been tried this year at Silverstone and Monza.
With 23 races planned, that would mean in 2022 that the starting grid for the main race on Sunday would be determined in a qualifying race on Saturday on at least seven Grand Prix weekends. This year, this is also planned for the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo. “The vast majority of the comments we got have been super positive,” said Demonicali.
The organizers are also “super happy,” because there is now an important innovation on Friday and Saturday. The 56-year-old Italian spoke to the knockout elimination, which was brought forward to Friday, in which the starting order for the sprint race is determined. “All in all, it’s been an incredible success,” said Domenicali. In September, the Formula 1 boss brought up a new title classification in connection with the sprint races. “Whoever wins the sprint title and the world title is a Grand Slam winner,” said Domenicali. Formula 1 needs change for the younger audience.
The record season should start in mid-March 2022 and last until mid-November, as Domenicali confirmed. It ends a month earlier than this year. There is speculation with the start in Bahrain and another final in Abu Dhabi. The earlier end of the season is necessary mainly because of the soccer World Cup in Qatar, which in turn should begin on November 21, 2022.