ABU DHABI.- sprint races Formula 1 will now be held before qualifying for the main race of the Big prize starting next season, after they approved the change proposal on Friday.
They made the decision to modify the weekend calendar after conversations with the commission of Formula 1 during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The commission includes the FIAthe teams and the commercial rights holder.
“The commission fully supported the changes to the sprint format in 2024,” said the FIA it’s a statement. “The final proposal will be presented to the F1 commission in the first meeting of 2024.”
On the weekends that include the sprint race they had qualified for the main race of the Big prize on Friday, instead of the usual Saturday. The qualifying session for the sprint, followed by the sprint race itself, took place on Saturday.
This format has been rejected by several teams because it leaves a large gap between Friday’s qualifying and Sunday’s main race.
With the new format, sprint qualifying will take place on Friday and the sprint on Saturday, followed by qualifying for the main race that same day.
The changes still must be approved next year by the council of the Motor Sport of the FIA.
“The sprint needs to evolve a little“, warned the head of Red Bull, Christian Horner. “I understand the concept and the action over the three days, but at times it has been a little disappointing.”
More modifications towards 2024:
The F1 commission also approved an extra cooling duct for the cars.
The changes were approved after several pilots had problems due to the intense heat during the Qatar GP in October.
The American Logan Sargeant retired severely dehydrated after almost losing control of his Williams. Esteban Ocon of Alpine He vomited inside his helmet while driving in temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.
FOUNTAIN: AP
