F1 sprint race move on the cards
Formula 1 looks set to introduce sprint races at select grands prix in 2021 after teams showed “broad support” for the plan at a meeting last week.
After new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had put an end to ideas of a reversedgrid format, the ex-ferrari team principal pushed on with the idea of a sprint race to set the grid at three grands prix this year. Under the proposal, qualifying would take place on Friday to set the grid for the sprint race on Saturday afternoon. This would run over 100km – one-third of a regular grand prix distance – and the result would create the grid for the grand prix.
All 10 teams showed support for the plan in the F1 Commission meeting last Friday, but were eager for further details to be clarified in the coming weeks.
This includes the awarding of points for the sprint race, any prize money, and what impact it would have on driver contracts from a legal standpoint.
A working group has now been formed to flesh out the plans, with a view to getting approval before the start of the new season at the end of March.
Should the plan go ahead, sprint races would be used at Montreal, Monza and Interlagos this year. The race weekend format would remain unchanged at all of the other rounds.
“I do feel better at the thought of that than a reverse grid,” said Daniel Ricciardo. “If the best guys and the best teams are still coming out on top, and it’s not manipulated or artificial, then I’m less scared of it. Competition is obviously what I love most. I would love to do more races and less practice. But I think the biggest thing is I want an F1 win to still feel as big as what it should be. I don’t ever want an F1 win to feel diluted. If they do bring in another race on the weekend, as long as it kind of carries the same value then I guess I’m certainly more open-minded towards that.”
The teams also agreed unanimously on an engine development freeze from 2022-24, paving the way for Red Bull to continue using Honda’s power units beyond the end of this year.
Red Bull announced on Monday the formation of Red Bull Powertrains, with the new group set to supply the senior Red Bull squad and sister team Alphatauri from 2022. Honda will assist Red Bull in the development of its new power unit for 2022 before quitting F1 at the end of the year. Red Bull Powertrains will operate out of the team’s existing Milton Keynes HQ, and will inherit the staff from Honda’s UK engine division.
The deal not only paves the way for Red Bull to become independent, but also creates the possibility of developing an all-new engine from 2025, when the next regulation cycle begins.
“We’ve got the independence to do it ourselves,” said Red Bull chief Christian Horner. “The investment into the facilities to gear up for this are quite significant. With this, Red Bull very much takes control of its own future and destiny, with the powertrain and establishment of that company and that commitment. It’s safeguarded the commitment of Red Bull to F1 for the foreseeable future.”
Red Bull will still receive assembly support from Honda through 2022, but is set to go on a hiring spree in the coming months, including an overall technical chief of its engine division. It is likely to work with AVL for the dynos and other required specialist equipment.