FORMULA 1 will introduce a new Sprint weekend format beginning at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Sprint Shootout will replace the second practice session that would normally take place on Saturday morning.
Meaning there will be just a single practice session over the course of the weekend going forward.
Friday afternoon will now be the stand-alone qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix grid on Sunday.
The Saturday sprint formally impacted the grid for the GP, however, that will be no more in the new format.
Points will be awarded to the top eight racers, no change to the awarding of points from 2022.
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What is Sprint Shootout?
The Shootout will be a new shorter session than the traditional qualifying.
SQ1 is set to run for 12 minutes, SQ2 for 10 minutes and SQ3 for 8 minutes.
The five slowest drivers will be eliminated in Q1 and then five more in Q2.
The top-ten shootout is in Q3, and the fastest driver claims pole position.
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Sprint Shootout will dictate the order for the shortened 100km race that will follow on the Saturday.
It will replace the previous FP2 that is usually seen on Saturday mornings.
New tyres are mandatory for each separate phase, with mediums for SQ1 and SQ3 and softs for SQ3.
The new format was voted in by the F1 Commission and World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday and will be used first at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
What is the new Sprint weekend format?
Friday
- Practice 1
- Grand Prix Qualifying
Sprint Saturday (Top-eight receive points and the finish order will not impact the Grand Prix grid)
- Sprint Shootout
- F1 Sprint
Sunday
- Grand Prix
How many points are on offer on Sprint Saturday?
- P1 – Eight points
- P2 – Seven points
- P3 – Six points
- P4 – Five points
- P5 – Four points
- P6 – Three points
- P7 – Two points
- P8 – One point
When are the remaining Sprint events?
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix (April 29)
- Australian Grand Prix (July 1)
- Belgian Grand Prix (July 29)
- Qatar Grand Prix (October 7)
- US Grand Prix (October 21)
- Sao Paulo Grand Prix (November 4)
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
