Reuters
Formula One F1 – Saudi Arabia Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – March 26, 2022 Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto during qualifying REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/Pool
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Saudi Arabia Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – March 26, 2022 Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto during qualifying REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/Pool
The sprint races have been a colossal hit with the fans. However, the FIA is still reluctant to increase the number of such races on the calendar. Although F1 requested to hold 3 additional sprints from next season onwards, they were met with disinterest from the FIA president.
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With reports accusing the governing body of ‘greed’, the FIA also reminded everyone that they are a nonprofit organization, as they batted the accusations away.
FIA against the idea of more F1 sprint races
F1 has seen its following and viewership boom in recent times. Sprint races also had some part to play in that. However, the idea of having more such sprints throughout the season is something that the FIA does not stand by. Recently Craig Slater spoke to Sky sports and had some major news to share.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 23, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in action during the sprint race REUTERS/Massimo Pinca
Craig Slater reported that in a recent Formula One Commission meeting, the topic of more sprints came up. However, the hierarchy was more concerned with other things. Slater said, “A number of senior figures at the meeting also told me they were bemused at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s general attitude. They felt he was more interested in talking about issues like drivers wearing jewelry than some of the major concerns confronting F1.”
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After this week’s race in Imola, there are still 2 more sprint races left this season, in Brazil and Austria. However, it is unlikely that we will get to see 6 sprints come next season.
FIA’s greed getting in the way?
The introduction of sprint races has done wonders for the sport’s image along with Netflix’s Driver to Survive. The teams all seem to share the same opinion. There have been reports from Chris Slater, “F1 and the teams have seen how the sprint increased TV audiences and… hope it could gain independent sponsorship and become an even bigger revenue stream.”
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 24, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during the race REUTERS/Massimo Pinca
The teams also reportedly said, “in their view, the FIA do not incur significant extra costs by replacing a practice session with a sprint event. They’re shocked that the FIA has taken this position.”
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However, the FIA rebuffed this claim. They told Sky Sports that the cost of organizing a sprint weekend is significantly more expensive than an FP session.
What do you think? Should F1 have more Sprint Races in the coming seasons? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Written by
Edited by
Ranvijay Singh