The sprint format has now become normal in Formula 1 that we know today. Introduced in 2021, he has caused quite a stir, between those who defended Liberty Media's initiative, and those who shouted at the desecration of tradition. The season just ended, tyrannized by Red Bull, saw six sprint races held, and the top flight doesn't seem willing to get rid of him. This new direction leaves many fans perplexed, convinced that sport could do without it. How much did this format give to the fans during the 2023 season? But most of all, Is insisting on sprints really worth it for Formula 1?
Six sprints on the way, but Europe is declining
The leaders decided: in 2024 six sprints will take place. The number is the same as this year, but there is a small change. In fact, Europe only has one weekend left characterized by this format, the Austrian one. Among the other stages we find theentry of China and Miami, which will join the already present Austin, Interlagos and lusail. Baku and Spa then leave, testifying to the fact that investments are increasingly concentrated towards other shores.
It was clear for a few seasons that Formula 1 was no longer Euro-centric, and the new Asian and American contracts demonstrate the trend even more. As, Miami becomes the second of three US weekends to host the Saturday competition, also present on the Asian front with the long-awaited return of China, and in the Middle East. There must be a reason if Liberty uses the format to solicit interest where it intends to attract business. In fact, with good reason, the competition attracts spectators. Stefano Domenicali also reported this, revealing how the Friday ratings be in these debated weekends sharply rising. The pockets of the leaders are filled, but does the others benefit?
Drivers, teams and spectators: how much do you like the format?
According to those who drive professionally, the format doesn't displease at all. Drivers like Leclerc and Norris have revealed how exciting the format is. In this regard, it is interesting opinion of the Ferrari driver, according to which 6 is the maximum number of sprints to be held over the course of a season. It is not impossible that the sixteen's thinking is influenced by what he sees behind the scenes. Extra work by engineers and mechanics is a fact of life, and the six races are not exactly a feather if added to seasons of twenty-odd races. If you then add the stress of having to find the right fit with only one hour of free practice available – with the not too utopian risk of throwing away a weekend -, the weekend in analysis makes the professionals sleep anything but peaceful dreams.
The increase in ratings on Fridays, however, is not enough, especially if the same spectators are disappointed on Saturday despite the - probable - high expectations gained the day before. What awaits fans on Saturday is usually a boring race. There were too few memorable sprints, and if we add the fact that the third of the race that is run is in fact one spoiler of the first Sunday stint – and general values -, the race loses all the importance that Liberty tries to give it. There is one fact in particular that makes you think: the percentage of points brought home by Verstappen and Perez is almost identical to that earned during normal races. If this isn't enough to demonstrate the fact that the format in question adds nothing to normal competitions...
Is insisting really worth it?
To answer the question posed at the beginning… well, you can't. You can't because the direction is clear, that is, that the format will not be dismantled, at least in the medium term. This cannot be done because what seems to matter most, i.e. the accounts and investments, are not known to us. And you can't why suggesting which opinion counts most among the actors involved would be too great an exercise, and perhaps without a right answer.
The only thing you can do is suggest. Wanting to be advocates for enthusiasts, the only advice, or rather, hope, is that we think more about the latter. But in what sense? Rather than seeing them only as a source of income, it would be desirable for fans to be rewarded with something more interesting. Since the intention is to continue along this line, It wouldn't be terrible if Liberty indirectly admitted that boredom was king during the Saturday race, experimenting with something different. Already separate the rankings, dedicating one to the sprints, would be more consistent with a weekend that is already divided. If you want to dare seeing that the profane now reigns supreme, it would be interesting to test the teams with the infamous one inverted grid.
In short, the appeal is always the same, that is, to seek coherence. The hope is that Liberty continues to experiment. The status quo excites almost no one, Therefore, if the management finds a way to reconcile its interests with those of the fans, many will be happy about it.
SOURCE: La Gazzetta dello Sport
