Verstappen swipes radical F1 experiment

2 years ago 120

Reigning satellite champion Max Verstappen is bewildered by Formula 1's determination to grow to six sprint races from 2023, believing the athletics should "just instrumentality to the main race."

F1 volition clasp its last sprint contention of the play this play successful Brazil earlier the qualifying format expands to six events - whose locations are inactive to beryllium confirmed - adjacent year.

The F1 sprint is simply a 100km dash to the chequered emblem with nary mandatory pit stops imposed connected drivers. The rod presumption for the sprint is awarded to the operator who tops the qualifying league connected the Friday, portion the results of the sprint contention past sets the last starting grid for Sunday's expansive prix.

Sprint races were scheduled astatine Imola, the Red Bull Ring and Interlagos this play aft Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos hosted them past year.

But Verstappen has said helium prefers the regular play schedule, claiming the hazard of harm to the cars oregon dropping to the rear of the tract during the sprint takes distant from the competition.

"Every clip I bash these [sprint] races, it's about, 'Don't get damage, marque definite you enactment successful the apical three,'" helium said.

"For me, that's not truly a race, due to the fact that you spell into the main contention and you cognize determination are mode much points disposable anyway, you conscionable hazard a spot much there.

"You bash different commencement (in a sprint race), which is exciting, but it's lone truly radical who are retired of presumption that determination guardant due to the fact that you conscionable enactment a tyre connected that lasts a full stint and not overmuch happens."

Verstappen argued F1 should "just instrumentality to the main race" arsenic that is wherever the racing is champion showcased.

"I don't recognize what the occupation is with that, due to the fact that we've had truthful galore breathtaking races, truthful you don't request to adhd one-third of a contention distance," helium said.

"Everyone is truthful cautious anyhow due to the fact that if you are warring for 3rd and you person a small interaction and you driblet to last, you cognize your Sunday is going to beryllium tough.

"Probably you won't hazard it, truthful that's not truly a race."

At past year's Brazilian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton charged from past spot connected the grid to 4th spot successful the sprint race. He past went connected to clinch the expansive prix connected the Sunday.

Hamilton felt F1 has to beryllium "very selective" wherever it schedules sprint races - favouring tracks wherever overtaking is easier - but said helium liked the format due to the fact that it was "different".

"We've had the aforesaid Thursday to Sunday for deity knows however long," helium said.

"It was expected to beryllium a three-day play this year, and past they changed it backmost to 4 days, which I wasn't excessively blessed about.

"The races are not ever the greatest. It does make a fewer much options, but sometimes there's nary overtaking, truthful we should hopefully larn from the races wherever there's been nary overtaking successful the sprint races.

"Putting them successful places similar Brazil that creates a batch of opportunity, oregon determination similar Baku, is going to beryllium the champion places for overtaking.

"I'm not against it. As agelong arsenic they're selective of wherever they enactment it."

Teams and the sport's owners Liberty Media unanimously backed the enlargement of the sprint contention format successful April, but the substance was stalled until the FIA approved the program astatine the latest World Motor Sport Council meeting.

F1 debuted the sprint contention format astatine 3 races successful 2021 earlier making adjustments to the rod presumption status, each team's outgo headdress and the fig of points connected connection per sprint.

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