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      How F1 calendar would look with 30 races including Grand Prix in New York, Madrid, Vietnam & Colombia after 2030 hint

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      FORMULA ONE’S ruthless expansion of its racing calendar could end up seeing a staggering 30 races in the 2030 season.F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali hinted at the possibility of this super-sized schedule last year.
      F1 could have a 30 race calendar by 2030Credit: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
      F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said there was potential to do 30 racesCredit: Getty
      He told Sky Sports: “I would say there is potential to go to 30! In terms of the interest we see all around the world.”
      There are currently 23 races, with the current Concorde Agreement between teams and F1 maxing out the calendar at 24 races per season.
      However, this deal expires in 2025. So if the calendar is expanded to accommodate 30 races, how might it look?
      Assuming such an expansion is viable, it stands to reason that most, if not all, of the current races on the calendar would have room to remain.
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      This is despite only seven of the circuits having deals which run up to 2030 and rumours suggesting the likes of Belgium and Monaco could be cut, with the former’s track deal running out after this season.
      In terms of new tracks, the aggressive expansion of exposure in the United States – which has three races already – could see new more tracks added to take the total to FIVE races.
      The locations of these races could be New York City, who have previously declared their desire to host a race, and a return to Long Beach, California where F1 has not raced since 1983.
      In South America, Colombia are a leading candidate to join the calendar, with Marca, via Planet F1, reporting an agreement is close for a ten-year deal for the “Carribbean Grand Prix” from 2024 or 2025.
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      Domenicali confirmed F1’s intention to return to Africa at Liberty Media’s Investor call last month.
      He declared: “It’s no secret we are still seeing if there’s a chance to go to Africa. It’s the only continent missing.”
      South Africa’s Kyalami circuit has been tipped to host this return and its first F1 race since 1993, while the move has also been backed by star drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
      Asia and the Middle East are other areas where potential expansion could come in, with South Korea and Dubai in the UAE both tipped to host races.
      Vietnam, who were forced to cancel their first-ever F1 race due to Covid-19, have returned to the table of trying to host a race, with reports in Vietnam suggesting Domenicali recently visited Hanoi.
      F1’s continental home of Europe could also be gearing up for some new venues, with Spain’s capital Madrid also in discussions for its own race.
      When speaking at the launch of an F1 exhibition in Madrid, Domenicali said: “They are working to bring a race here and F1 is delighted to have so many contenders, because this way we become more and more popular.
      “Two races in Spain of course is very difficult, so we are happy with Barcelona who have a contract and a strong relationship – but it is true that Madrid wants a race so we will see. All of this is good for F1.”
      Vietnam’s abandoned Hanoi circuit is in talks to be revisitedCredit: AFP
      While New York City have openly stated their desire to host an F1 raceCredit: Getty
      South Africa’s Kyalami circuit could also host F1’s return to AfricaCredit: Alamy
      Despite the seemingly endless appetite to expand, Domenicali has also erred on the side of caution regarding expansion into new territories.
      He admitted: “We need to be balanced, we need to see what are the other opportunities.
      “And very soon we are going to tell everyone what is our strategy to develop that market.
      “On top of America, on top of China, I think there is a potential also to be in Africa soon.
      “There is a lot of interest there. For sure that’s another area that so far is missing in the geography of our calendar…
      “It is up to us to try to find the right balance considering what are the venues which would like to be in F1, what are the historical values we need to see on the calendar.
      “There are some promoters who have expiring agreements, and probably some of the current Grand Prix will no longer be part of the calendar.”
      The 30-race calendar idea has also faced opposition from AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost – who will step down at the end of the season.
      He said in October: “We all should be happy that we are in a position to be in Formula 1 and to have 23 races and if someone doesn’t like it then he should go.”
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      “For me 23 races is the absolute limit, not from the workload point of view, but because I am concerned that with such a high number of races, in the end it could cause people to lose interest in Formula 1.”
      Other legacy tracks may also make a comeback by popular demand, such as Malaysia, Germany, Portugal or Turkey.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Lewis Hamilton makes bold fashion statement at Azerbaijan GP as fans joke F1 star was ‘attacked by Shrek’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON made a bold fashion statement upon arriving to the Formula One paddock ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The seven-time champion is hoping to end his win drought by scoring a victory at this weekend’s race.
      Lewis Hamilton donned a typically bold outfitCredit: Reuters
      With one fan joking he had been ‘attacked by Shrek’Credit: Splash
      But ahead of the race, Hamilton was spotted in a typically striking outfit.
      Hamilton was pictured in an all-green jumpsuit which featured a ripped design resembling claw marks across it.
      Fans remarked “Hamilton fashion week” had begun, rushing to social media to share their thoughts.
      One fan on Twitter was taken aback by the fit, joking: “It looks like he was attacked by Shrek.” However, they admitted they still liked the look.
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      The look also impressed a host of other fans, with a second fan saying: “Cool as always 😎.”
      “He’s the best,” declared a third.
      While a fourth typed: “Now it’s race week.”
      Hamilton and his fellow drivers have returned after a month-long break since the chaotic Australian GP, caused by the cancellation of the Chinese GP.
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      The Brit scored a P2 result as he finished behind Max Verstappen Down Under.
      During the break, Hamilton overtook Verstappen’s longest career streak of days without a race win, which stands at 502.
      And despite a strong showing at the last race, Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate George Russell are set to be left without car upgrades until the Emilia Romagna GP on May 21.
      This means it could be a while before Hamilton adds to his record of 103 F1 race wins.
      The upcoming weekend will also see the “Sprint Shootout” format given its inaugural outing.
      You can read all the detail on the new format here.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Lewis Hamilton overtakes Max Verstappen’s F1 streak but it’s bad news for British star

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has overtaken one of Max Verstappen’s Formula One streaks. However, it is not one Hamilton will be happy to have broken.
      Lewis Hamilton has overtaken one of Max Verstappen’s F1 streak’sCredit: Getty
      But it is not one he will be glad to haveCredit: EPA
      The streak in question relates to winless streaks in F1.
      Verstappen ‘s longest-streak without a win in the sport stands at 502 days – between the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix and the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix.
      But on April 23 Hamilton eclipsed this streak, marking the day 503 without a win in F1.
      The 38-year-old’s last win came all the way back in December 2021 at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, when he was duking it out for the title with Verstappen.
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      And with Mercedes continuing to struggle for race pace this year, his streak looks set to continue for a while longer.
      Hamilton was chomping at the bit to try and squeeze past Verstappen at the end of a hectic Australian Grand Prix, in which he finished P2 under a safety car.

      The next chance he will have to end his winless streak will be this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
      Baku was the scene of a stunning race in 2021 which saw ex-Red Bull driver Mark Webber produce a hilarious moment of commentary when Hamilton locked up on a restart.
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      But Verstappen was able to grab his first win at the circuit last year, and will be hoping to repeat the trick to improve his standing in the drivers standings this year.
      Hamilton – who holds the record for most race wins in F1 history with 103 – has not won around the track himself since 2018, and each year the race has been held has seen a different winner.
      This year the track will also welcome a new format: Sprint Shootout, which you read all the detail on here.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      What is F1 Sprint Shootout?

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      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.
      Red Bull Racing’s driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ driver George Russell at the 2022 Brazil Grand Prix.Credit: GETTY
      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) More

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      Lewis Hamilton shows off shredded abs in gym as Mercedes star gears up for Azerbaijan GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is working hard in the gym as the Formula One calendar prepares to return after a four-week break.The 38-year-old showed off his ripped abs before getting back behind the wheel of his Mercedes this weekend.
      Lewis Hamilton is hard at work in the gym ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      The 38-year-old posted a picture of himself pumping weights in the gymCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Hamilton was also seen relaxing in the bathCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      The F1 season is set to return in Baku after a four-week breakCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Hamilton started the campaign with two fifth-place finishes before securing P2 last time out in AustraliaCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Hamilton will return to action for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, with practice set to get underway on Friday.
      And ahead of the race, the Brit F1 legend posted a selection of snaps to his 32.4million Instagram followers.
      In the pictures, Hamilton pumped iron in the gym and worked out in preparation for the race.
      He was also seen relaxing in a bath ahead of the weekend’s action.
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      Hamilton captioned his post with a motivational message for his followers.
      The seven-time F1 world champion wrote: “What does it mean to be motivated? For me it means choosing to push myself to be better in all things. In our work, in creativity, in life overall.
      “Motivation means taking care of ourselves, training both mind and body, and working toward progress no matter how small it may seem. I’m no stranger to tough days.
      “When they come, it feels impossible to push on. That negativity isn’t real, it’s all in the mind and I know you have it in you to overcome it.”
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      Hamilton began the campaign with back-to-back fifth-place finishes, but was P2 behind Max Verstappen last time out at the Australian GP.
      And Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said to “trust the process” as the team bid to make ground on a dominant Red Bull car.
      Starting from this weekend in Baku, F1 chiefs have agreed to a shake up of the season’s sprint races.
      The shorter race has been replaced with sprint qualifying – known as ‘the sprint shootout’, which will take place before the 100km sprint race.
      Qualifying to determine the grid for Sunday’s main race will take place on Friday, with one practice session scrapped.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      How Fernando Alonso became ultimate Formula One playboy as supermodel-loving star fuels rumours of Taylor Swift romance

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      FERNANDO Alonso lives life in the fast lane – on and off the track.The Formula One ace, 41, is back to his best this season racing for Aston Martin, and his love life must be keeping him busy when he’s not chasing podium finishes.
      Fernando Alonso is one of F1’s biggest starsCredit: Instagram
      The star has been a legend of the sport for two decades and has raised eyebrows with his cheeky antics. Pictured, with model Michelle Marsh at Silverstone in 2005Credit: EPA
      Fans were sent into a frenzy last week when Spanish magazines began linking Alonso to newly-single pop star Taylor Swift.
      The two-time world champion fuelled the flames last night when he posted a video of himself winking as he listened to one of the 33-year-old’s hit songs, Karma.
      It came just weeks after Alonso announced his split from long-term partner Andrea Schlager, explaining in a statement: “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.”
      Here, we steer a path through the flamboyant star’s long relationship history, from supermodels to a romance with one of his Formula One rival’s pals.
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      The rockstar wife
      Alonso and Raquel Del Rosario married secretly in 2006Credit: Reuters
      The singer performed in the Spanish rock band El Sueno de MorfeoCredit: Eyevine
      Alonso and singer Raquel Del Rosario – who was lead singer for Spanish rock band El Sueno de Morfeo – met in 2005 after she performed at a concert to mark his first F1 title.
      He told her on-stage in front of thousands of adoring fans that he was “single and romantic” – and it clearly did the trick.
      Spending their time living first in Oxford and then Switzerland, they married secretly in 2006 but only confirmed it publically two years later.
      In 2011, however, the couple confirmed their break-up in a jointed statement, saying: “This has been a very thought about and mutual decision.
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      “We are separating from marriage, but never as friends, and there is still a very strong affection and mutual admiration to ensure the happiness of the other.”

      The banker
      Alonso moved on with former Miss Switzerland runner-up Xenia TchoumitchevaCredit: BackGrid
      After his split from Raquel, Alonso quickly moved on with former Miss Switzerland runner-up Xenia Tchoumitcheva.
      The talented Russian model, who has a degree in economics, has had an even more colourful career than her ex.
      After bagging an internship at JP Morgan, she was offered roles at Merrill Lynch and Duet Group, but decided to swap the stock market for the pop charts – releasing a rap single.
      A JP Morgan worker told the Mail that Xenia ‘brightened up the office’ when she worked there, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Neither was her romance with Alonso, which ended in late 2011.
      The model
      His next relationship was with Russian model Dasha KapustinaCredit: Alpha Press
      The following year, Alonso found another Russian model, stepping out at the German Grand Prix with Dasha Kapustina.
      The besotted pair were snapped on a holiday in Majorca as they relaxed on board a private yacht and were frequently seen together around the paddock.
      In 2013, Alonso whisked Dasha off to Las Vegas ahead of the British Grand Prix, taking selfies along the strip and even enjoying a David Copperfield show.
      After two years together, though, their romance quietly fizzled out.
      The journalist
      Alonso was engaged to Lara Alvarez but the relationship didn’t lastCredit: Reuters
      Alonso quickly fell head over heels after meeting journalist Lara Alvarez in December 2014.
      The star popped the question to his fellow Spaniard, who was previously linked to Real Madrid footballer Sergio Ramos.
      But by 2016, the 16-month relationship had come to a sad end, as pictures emerged of Lara stepping out without her silver ring.
      A source told a Barcelona-based newspaper that there was no bad blood between them, citing “the distance and demands of their jobs” as the reason behind the split.
      The rival romance
      Viki Odintcova was linked with Alonso in 2016Credit: INSTAGRAM
      She previously told how she ignored Cristiano Ronaldo’s DMsCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Alonso’s next flame, Viki Odintcova, has no shortage of admirers in the sports world – even claiming she ignored Instagram DMs from Cristiano Ronaldo.
      She said: “That happened… He (Ronaldo) even wrote to me. It was a long time ago. He wrote, ‘Hi, how are you?’
      “I deleted the message and didn’t reply.”
      The Russian model was rumoured to be dating Alonso in April 2016, but he would have risked the ire of her “most famous” pal.
      Viki previously told Russian TV: “The most famous person in my phonebook is Lewis Hamilton. The last time he messaged me was November 15, to congratulate me on my birthday.
      “I go to his races occasionally, the last time was in Sochi (at the Russian Grand Prix). We’ve been friends for three years. When I met him, I could barely speak English, I could only understand it.”
      The lingerie star
      Linda Morselli stuck by Alonso after his horror car accident in 2021Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Italian lingerie model Linda Morselli has a truly racy relationship history, having previously dated MotoGP rider and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi.
      After being snapped supporting Alonso at races in 2016, the pair confirmed their relationship with an Instagram post the following year.
      Linda – who was once crowned Miss Elegance at the Miss Italy beauty pageant – was there for her partner in 2021 when he was hit by a car on a roundabout while cycling in Switzerland.
      Alonso, who was training on a £5,500 road racer ahead of his return to F1 after a two-year absence, was rushed to a nearby hospital for X-rays and underwent surgery on his jaw.
      After half a decade together, the couple went their separate ways last year.
      The newest ex
      Alonso and Andrea Schlager announced they had broken up earlier this monthCredit: Instagram
      He met the journalist while she was working in the paddockCredit: Instagram / @andrea.m.schlager
      Alonso’s latest relationship was with Andrea Schlager, a sports commentator known for her work in F1 and MotoGP.
      The pair first met in the paddock while she was working as a sports presenter for ServusTV, dropping a series of cryptic clues on social media before going official.
      Just hours after Alonso secured a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month, he released an Instagram statement announcing their break-up.
      In a statement, he wrote: “We wanted to tell you that our relationship as a couple ended. 
      “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.
      “As you have probably seen, we have continued working on and off track on various projects together also during this time, and we will keep doing so with deep love and respect for each other.
      “We thought it is appropriate to share this as you have all been very supportive. Thanks for that. Love Fer & Andrea.”
      Alonso’s cheeky video this week sent Taylor Swift fans into meltdown, with one TikTok user commenting: “Oh my god Taylor X Fernando confirmed????”

      If the superstar is spotted in the paddock at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, they will truly go into overdrive. More

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      Fernando Alonso fuels Taylor Swift dating rumours as F1 legend posts hilarious TikTok video

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      FERNANDO ALONSO has fuelled rumours that he is dating Taylor Swift after a recent online post.The F1 legend shared a hilarious video on TikTok of him scrolling on his phone while sitting down.
      Fernando Alonso shared a cheeky video to TikTok of himself listening to Taylor SwiftCredit: TIKTOK – @fernandoalonso
      He then did a wink at the cameraCredit: TIKTOK – @fernandoalonso
      The F1 driver has been linked with the American singerCredit: Getty
      In the clip, the Aston Martin driver looks up and gives the camera a cheeky wink and smile.
      During the song Karma by Taylor Swift, 33, is playing in the background.
      Alonso, 41, commented on the video “Feeling 33”, which is thought to be a reference to the singer’s song “22”.
      The caption for the post says “Race week era”, along with a winky emoji in another reference to Swift’s current Eras tour.
      READ MORE ON MOTORSPORT
      The Spaniard was first linked with romantic ties to Swift after an post on the DeuxMoi Instagram account last week that quoted an anonymous email.
      It read: “A couple of Spanish magazines have been posting about TS [Swift] and Spanish F1 driver Fernando Alonso.
      “According to them, the couple has been seeing each other for a week now. Nothing serious tho since they are both recently single.”
      However, the account did list the post in a section titled “for entertainment purposes only” and joined it with the disclaimer that “some of the emails posted are complete BS”.
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      But this did not stop fans from getting excited by Alonso’s response.
      One TikTok user commented: “Oh my god Taylor X Fernando confirmed????”
      A second wrote: “Fernando please confirm or deny, was mastermind (A song by Swift) written about you.”
      A third said: “Never did we think in our Wildest Dreams this would happen.”

      Swift split from her boyfriend Joe Alwyn earlier this month at a similar time that Alonso announced that he had separated from girlfriend, Andrea Schlager.
      The former couple met in the F1 sports paddock.
      Alonso said in a statement: “We wanted to tell you that our relationship as a couple ended.
      “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.
      She is currently on tour after splitting from long-term boyfriend Joe AlwynCredit: The Mega Agency
      Alonso announced his split from Andrea Schlager earlier this monthCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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      F1 set to vote through new rule changes for Azerbaijan GP with new qualifying time and slimmed down sprint races

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      FORMULA ONE bosses are expected to vote to revamp the weekend format —  and cut mind-numbing practice sessions.Team leaders, F1 and FIA chiefs will meet in Geneva on Tuesday morning where the proposed format is likely to be rubber-stamped.
      Big changes are set to be introduced for the Azerbaijan GPCredit: Reuters
      For the meantime, it would apply to the six sprint-race weekends this season and come into play this week at the first one, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
      And it will see the race make-up change as follows . . .

      Friday morning would be FP1 as usual. A 60-minute  session will now be the ONLY practice of the weekend and after it cars are placed in parc ferme,  meaning no more major changes can be made to them.
      Friday afternoon would now be qualifying for Sunday’s GP.
      READ MORE F1 NEWS
      The session will be cut into the regular Q1, Q2 and Q3 segments, with the five slowest drivers eliminated in Q1 and then five more in Q2.
      The top-ten shootout is in Q3 and the fastest driver  claims pole position.

       Saturdays are  a stripped-down sprint event, separate from the rest of the GP.
      And  Saturday morning will be qualifying for the short sprint,  rather than a practice session. While it follows the usual Q1, Q2 and Q3 format like regular qualifying, the sessions are shorter, with eight minutes allocated for Q3.
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      That means drivers would only get one or two attempts at setting their best times.

      Saturday afternoon will  be a shorter 100km race, where points are awarded to cars  in the top eight.
      The first-place driver receives eight points — and  the number then decreases for each spot.

      Nothing changes for Sunday, which is reserved for the GP.  There will be 51 laps in Baku with usual rules applied.
      F1 has been accused of ­meddling  in the DNA of the sport but I like the proposals.
      Practice sessions have become dull and meaningless, while  this revised format means there are now four things to fight for over the weekend    — two qualifying  sessions and two races.
      It might take a while to get your head around it, however more action can only be a good thing.
      For the time being, this is just for the races in Baku, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, Austin and Sao Paulo.
      But if it goes well, I would not be surprised to see this become the regular format for all race weekends in 2024. More