*Disclaimer - All views and opinions that follow below are my own.
For years, Formula One have been conjuring up ideas in order to improve the racing in our sport. They first brought us the controversial "Elimination Qualifying" back in 2016. A format that would eliminate a competitor from qualifying every 90 seconds. This was scrapped after only two qualifying sessions due to intense backlash from drivers, teams and fans. And now in 2021, Formula One are trying out a new format - Sprint Qualifying/Race. Do we even know what it actually is, at this point?
The inaugural inclusion of the sprint would take place at the 2021 British Grand Prix in front of a full crowd. The first time Formula One has seen a full crowd in nearly two years due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The weekend as a whole would take a different format to what we are used to seeing. On Friday we would see the normal "Free Practice One," followed by a normal qualifying session which would replace "Free Practice Two," and thus work out the grid for the Sprint on Saturday. On Saturday morning, "Free Practice Two" would replace "Free Practice Three" and the Sprint race in the afternoon would determine the grid for the main race on Sunday. Ok, are you still with me? It's a little bit confusing.
The Sprint race itself was to be raced over 100km, or 17 laps, with the winner, in this case Red Bull's Max Verstappen, taking pole for the main race the next day. The top three drivers were also to be awarded points to help with their hunts for the championship. Three points would go to the winner. Two to second place and one to third. The point of the Sprint is to give fans more action. A chance to see the fastest people in the world racing at full throttle with no pit stops/pit strategies, fuel saving, tyre saving etc. There is also the added bonus of potentially getting a mixed up grid for Sunday thus making the racing more interesting over all. But did it work? I'm personally yet to fully decide.
When the new format was announced, I was pessimistic. 2016's "Elimination Qualifying" ruined all chances for me to be optimistic about something new. I like the current format and don't see much, if anything, wrong with it. Why change something if it doesn't need changing? Maybe Formula One should look at different aspects of the sport which could help improve the quality of racing? Regardless, I would give the Sprint a go and get myself ready to say "I told you so" to my very small social media following afterwards. But, that wasn't the case. I enjoyed it.
For me, it was all about having that extra race to watch. An extra chance to be in my racing element and nerd out over Formula One, as I would usually do over the course of a normal race. As for the racing itself, I thought it was brilliant. The first lap in particular. Seeing the fastest people in the world driving these ferocious beasts at a low-fuel capacity and at full throttle was immense. In particular, Alpine's Fernando Alonso with a mega start, as well as nail biting battles and overtakes to earn him a 7th place start on the grid for the main event. And, I have to mention Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. A tussle with William's George Russell on Lap 1 caused him to drop to the back of the grid. His comeback to start in 10th the following day is unfortunately not really talked about. But I noticed and I enjoyed.
Despite this, particularly on social media, the Sprint hasn't seem to have won many people over and I can understand why.
First of all, a lot of people, like myself, like the historic aspect of the current qualifying format. The current format is Formula One. Anything else sounds and feels bizarre or wrong but I agree with what Formula One's Managing Director; Ross Brawn, had to say: “I think we can’t be held back by history. I mean, we need to respect history but we must never be held back by history.” In Formula One, cars and tracks are constantly evolving, maybe the formats need to be adjusted to suit them, to maximise as much racing as possible. Or more importantly, maybe we, as fans, need to be more accepting to change?
And, then there is the argument of "what was the point?" I think it is fair to say that not all drivers went full throttle during that Sprint. They were cautious. Why do anything to the car that risks it for the main event? As mentioned above, the first couple of laps were brilliant but it soon slowed into a procession with everyone just wanting to get across the line in one piece, ready for the following day. As for Sunday's grid, it would near enough be as normal.
So that leaves us with the question, "was it successful?" Formula One seem to think so, social media seems divided, as do I, as do the drivers. I think my opinion is - "I liked it. I liked having that extra race. But, was it worth it? What did it achieve?" I personally need to see another race weekend adopt this format to get a proper opinion. Right now, I can't imagine it being an overly feasible way to improve the quality of racing but I understand the aspect behind it. For now, I guess we wait and see.
Comments