F1 Sprint Weekend: How Does It Work?

Like them or not, F1 Sprint Weekends are here for another Formula One season. And, with the series’ bosses adamant on making this “marmite” addition to the racing weekend work, more changes have yet again been made to perfectly fit them in and around the main action of a Formula One Grand Prix weekend.

Since the “inaugural” Sprint at the British Grand Prix in 2021, as a means to replace qualifying as we knew it; the sprint has gone through a mass evolution, eventually becoming a stand alone event within a Grand Prix weekend at the start of the 2023 season. It would be in this season that the Sprint Shootout (qualifying for the Sprint race) was also introduced. But, is there really a need for these additions to an already busy race weekend and season? According to formulaone.com, yes, yes there is. They say “the Sprint weekend delivers more bang for your back,” and “guarantees meaningful action every day.” Regardless of their own opinion, it’s still a struggle to convince the long-term F1 fan that this is could be the future of Grand Prix racing.

In 2024, Formula One are taking another step forward in trying to make the sprint weekends the best they can be. But, how exactly are they doing this? Well, you’re in the right place to find out!

In terms of sprint race rules and regulations, there isn’t many, if any, changes as we go into the first sprint weekend of 2024. The Sprint Shootout will now be known as Sprint Qualifying and, like last season, sets the grid for the Sprint Race while following the same qualifying format as regular qualifying, bar it being slightly shorter. As for the Sprint itself, it’s still the same old 100km race (sans pitstops) to the line. F1 says: “the length of the Sprint is intended to promote a dash that is dynamic rather than strategic, with an emphasis on attacking.” Both teams and drivers are awarded with points from 1st to 8th, all of which goes towards their respective championships.

In 2024, the biggest change we’re experiencing to Sprint Weekends is the format. In 2023, Saturday was Sprint Day, with both the shootout and the race taking place. There would be only one Free Practice session, as well normal qualifying, that would both take place on the Friday. The main Grand Prix event remained in it’s traditional Sunday spot. However, this didn’t necessarily work, or have the desired outcome that Formula One was searching for. Not to mention, the questionable race weekend schedule that saw a considerable gap between qualifying and the Grand Prix. So, in a move which may be more suited to fans, teams, drivers and F1 personnel alike; Friday is now the new home of the Sprint Qualifying session, taking place after the only Free Practice session of the weekend. On Saturday, in place on Free Practice 3, is the Sprint Race, meaning it’s all over before focus is then reset and everyone’s priority is qualifying and the Grand Prix, itself. This does, in theory, make much more sense.

With the format sorted, it does leaves the question as to which race weekends get the honour (?) of becoming a Sprint Race Weekend. Well, it all kicks off this weekend in China - a track F1 hasn’t visited since pre-COVID days. Then it’s on to Miami and Austria in the first half of the 2024 season, followed by USA, Brazil and Qatar in the second.

“Venues chosen for Sprint events are all circuits that have great overtaking potential.” - Formula One

Oh, and one more thing. There is always that question mark surrounding penalties, specifically grid penalties, when it comes to the Sprint. When should they be applied? Does it effect the Sprint or the Grand Prix? Here is your answer:

“In terms of how grid penalties will be applied across F1 Sprint weekends, any grid penalties incurred in first practice or Qualifying will apply to the race.Grid penalties incurred in Sprint Qualifying will apply to the Sprint; while any grid penalties incurred in the Sprint will apply to the race.” - Formula One

Confused yet?

Regardless, whether we're fans of the sprint or not, Formula One Management, Liberty Media, the FIA, as well as all the other guys and girls at the top, are still pretty convinced that it already has the desired effect of more on-track action. In reality, they're not wrong, not really. So, in hindsight, it's not going anywhere soon. The new format will definitely be something to keep an eye on. Will it appeal more to the long-term audience now, or is it still a "new fan" type of thing? That's a chat for another day.

Are you looking forward to the Sprint races this season?

Opinion: Ricciardo vs Tsunoda - Who Will Win The Inter-Team Battle in 2024?

It’s still early days into the 2024 season, and already there is plenty of gossip surrounding the teammate battle down at RB. With Daniel Ricciardo’s experience and expertise, would you really believe that he’s trailing behind the younger, less experienced driver that is Yuki Tsunoda? Well, you’d better had believe it because RB’s inter-team battle is shaping up to be a good one.

Since Ricciardo’s abrupt return to Formula One half-way through last season, replacing a “displaced” Nyck de Vries; 2024 has since been perceived as an “audition” for the 8-time Grand Prix winner, as he eyes a return to the main Red Bull team; Red Bull Racing. However, it’s plain to see that 2024 isn’t going Ricciardo’s way, with three non-point scoring finishes and a DNF. As for his teammate; Tsunoda, it’s a different story; with the Japanese driver looking more refined in 2024. He currently leads Ricciardo 4-0 in qualifying and 3-1 in the race.

Naturally, in the world of Formula One, this has led to many the speculation about Ricciardo’s future in the sport. And, it isn’t the first time for the Australian either. Since his shock departure from Red Bull at the end of the 2018 season, Ricciardo’s Formula One performance has since been on a downhill spiral, abruptly hitting a dead end at the end of 2022 when he was dropped from the McLaren team, whom he raced for since 2021. After sitting out the first half of the 2023 season, a return to the Red Bull family was perceived as a saving grace for Ricciardo. Unfortunately, it’s turning out to be anything but.

It’s an interesting thought, however, to decipher as to why Ricciardo is having so many issues with his performances. Some say he’s been unlucky, with a string of underperforming cars. Others say his time in the sport is coming to an end, with the Australian struggling with mentality and confidence, and no longer able to compete with his younger counterparts. Either way, it’s a shame to see a driver of Ricciardo’s calibre experience such a dip in performance. Will he come out of it before it’s too late? Especially with Liam Lawson waiting ever so patiently in the wings.

As already discussed, Tsunoda, apart from maybe his overly animated radio messages, is doing everything right in 2024 thus far, and is even catching the attention of other teams which could further prolong his Formula One career - something that has been doubted in the past. With Honda soon joining forces with Aston Martin from 2026, a season consistently out-performing Ricciardo is everything that young Yuki needs. Could we see him in green in the near future?

Still there is a long road ahead, to not just 2026, but also the end of the 2024 season. With, 20 races let to run, anything can happen, including Ricciardo finding some kind of form once again. Until then, it’s looking like the year of Yuki; a young driver finally finding his feet in a sport that ends so many racing careers. A refreshing sight that is indeed.

Race Review: Japanese Grand Prix 2024

Suzuka, you say? In April? I can assure you that you are not seeing things and that the Japanese Grand Prix has, in fact, come around once again, thanks to a change in the schedule for 2024. And, to be honest, I could get used to it, with the stunning Cherry Blossom x Racing Car shots that were constantly gracing our screens. But let's not forget, we are here for the racing, where, once again, it was Red Bull and Max Verstappen back on top in a race where strategies became the main talking point.

Up and down the field there were plenty of strategies on show, with a mixture of soft and medium tyre compounds on the start line. An early red flag gave drivers and teams an opportunity to revise these if necessary with, interestingly, Mercedes choosing the hard tyre at the restart. Unfortunately for them, it was a strategy that didn't work. But did, however, give the race some spice with George Russell using the undercut to his advantage, despite his eventual 7th place finish. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, would finish 9th.

One team that did, surprisingly, get everything right was Ferrari. Now, I say "surprisingly," because over the years they seemed to have made a negative reputation for themselves when it comes to race strategies. A two stop for Carlos Sainz and a one stop for Charles Leclerc saw the team finish in 3rd and 4th respectively. Leclerc's impressive management of his one stop strategy definitely earned him Driver of the Day. But, of course, what's a race without a controversy in the Ferrari fan base. Just an every race occurrence every time Sainz beats Leclerc, it seems. (Insert eye roll here.)

Other strategies gave the race some much needed on-track action with plenty of battles, overtakes and a strong undercut. Take the two impressive 130R overtakes for Sergio Perez, or the heated battle in the midfield that saw at least five drivers pit at the same time, causing unexpected traffic in the pitlane and an investigation for Lance Stroll for a pit lane infringement (exiting the pit stop in the working lane) which ultimately led to the decision of "no further action."

This Japanese Grand Prix wasn't all about strategies, however. Remember that early red flag I mentioned before? A racing incident between the RB of Daniel Ricciardo and the Williams of Alex Albon, saw the duo convey into the barriers at turn two on lap one. Not the best timing in the world for both drivers, with Ricciardo coming under increased scrutiny for his recent performances and Albon for crashing another Williams chassis - a piece of important racing equipment that the team seem to be lacking spare of. After a standing restart on lap three, it wasn't until the final stages of the race before the yellow flag made it's second appearance. Low and behold, the second Williams was in gravel. Luckily for Logan Sargeant he, somehow, reversed himself back onto the track and finished the race with minimal to no damage. A sigh of relief could be heard from the Williams garage in Tokyo.

And, I have to mention Alpine. Again. Another Q2 appearance for Esteban Ocon gave Alpine and many of their fans hope for improvements. However, low straight line speed in the race saw them become sitting ducks on the straight. Ocon would finish in a miserable 15th and Pierre Gasly in 16th. There is no denying both drivers are capable of much more, as could be said for a number on the current back end of the F1 grid.

Suzuka is full of nostalgia, especially as it has been around on the F1 calendar since 1987 intermittently. And, one radio message single handily brought back a whole "vibe" from the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.

"It's unbelievable how bad our speed is on the straight man. Like it's a different category!" - Lance Stroll

If you know, you know. If you don't, well. Back in 2015, Fernando Alonso, ironically Stroll's current teammate, said the infamous "GP2 engine! GP2 engine!" radio message, at Suzuka. This moment was very reminiscent to that. And, somehow, lovely to see, or hear???

Of course though, it would be Verstappen's weekend. Despite close competition from the improving Perez, Verstappen's Suzuka record almost guaranteed him the win. Regardless, to see Perez so much closer to his teammate once again, as well as Sainz gracing the podium for a third time this season, it could mean that Verstappen's route to a fourth championship may not be as simple as everyone is led to believe?

For me, Suzuka delivered in 2024. It wasn't the best race in terms of on-track competition but it was brilliant in a strategic kind of way. I think some fans forget how heavily influenced motor racing is by strategies. And, when you notice the positive effect they can have on a race, you start to appreciate the work of the strategists more. Anyway, next up, after five years, it's a return to China!