[BoneCollector]

Sprint qualifying to debut at 3 races in 2021.

Formula 1 is set to debut the Sprint Qualifying format at three Grands Prix in 2021, following an agreement reached between the FIA, Formula 1 and all 10 teams on the grid – with two European venues and one non-European one set to host the format, with those venues to be announced in due course.

Sprint Qualifying will see the drivers battle it out over 100km on Saturday afternoons of the selected Grand Prix weekends, with the result from Sprint Qualifying then deciding the starting grid for Sunday’s full distance Grand Prix.

The new format will also see the grid for the Sprint Qualifying decided on Friday afternoon, using the current qualifying format, with cars entering Parc Ferme conditions from the start of Friday qualifying – while there’ll be one 60-minute practice session on both Friday and Saturday mornings.

Link

[RM Motorsports]

Sprint Qualifying Explained.

Who is excited ? and Who is not?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTVcVAxYuwQ

[VRJ]

Originally Posted by RM Motorsports

Who is excited ? and Who is not?

I’m not a fan of the new sprint format. Makes no sense to me. So, we use qualification to deem the order and have a 100km race based on that order and these results from the race are again used to finalise a new order and then race again based on this new order? What? Sounds like double taxation to me, lol. I initially thought whats the reasoning for the FIA to do this. Two reasons:

1. This provides a fairer chance to the drivers. The normal qualifying rounds are soo tight, milliseconds of gap and you’re pushed down the grid. If you’re late to the throttle in even one corner and you can forget the top 5 positions. Maybe FIA wants to put more focus on the drivers talent than the money behind making the fastest car on the grid? Again it makes no sense because the Saturday order is anyways finalised based on the normal qualifying format that is done on Friday. It’s anyways going to be Mercedes, Redbull, Mclaren and Ferrari in the top positions. The mid field might get more interesting. For example, in the Emilia Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz didn’t do very well in the qualifying round and started at P11. But during the race, he jumped 5 or 6 position in the first couple of laps. In situations like these, the mid field might get reshuffled. Then again, this spoils the fun and excitement during the main Sunday race.

2. More racing, more viewership. Spicing up things to attract new crowds.

Couple of cons:

1. Stressing out the driver.
2. Stressing out the machine.
3. What if a driver crashes during the Saturday qualification race? It’s not easy to repair the car in one day and mistakes are bound to happen. Unnecessary stress and pressure on the teams mechanics and management. I believe the probability of crashing during a race is higher than the probability of crashing during normal qualifications.
4. Lastly, this tweet by Matt summarises why I don’t like the new format:



Source: https://twitter.com/mattywtf1/status...385017345?s=21

Cheers!

[StarrySky]

I fear that the sprint qualifying may not bring much to the table. The sprint race is just 100km, which is probably just under 20 laps on most circuits. Given that there is no requirement for pitstops during a sprint race, I fear almost everyone will start on the optimal tire. And since they are starting with fuel for only 20 laps, a fresh set should easily last 20 laps. So we need not expect any change in order because someone's tires went off the cliff or any major decisive tire degradation for anyone. So, I expect a mini procession on Saturday.

Then we come to Sunday. In the current format, there is some variation in tire strategies as top-10 have to start on the tires from Q2 and others have a free choice. With the sprint qualifying format, everyone is free to choose the fastest race (tire) strategy.

The Parc Ferme rules will allow changes to suspension and braking systems between sprint race and the GP on Sunday. Does this mean that some setup issues that may be detected in the sprint race can be fixed by the teams for Sunday's race? If so, this might make Sunday's race even less exciting.

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by RM Motorsports

Sprint Qualifying Explained.

Who is excited ? and Who is not?

I'm excited. Gives me three days of viewing. I dont watch free practices. But Friday Quali, Saturday mini race, and Sunday race, that's three days of fun.
I think that's what the authorities are going for. Longer viewership over more days.
However, remains to be seen how exciting this is in actuality.

[Akshay6988]

Originally Posted by RM Motorsports

Sprint Qualifying Explained.

Who is excited ? and Who is not?

I am excited for this one. That 100km race could give a very disruptive formation for the actual race on Sunday. Who knows what can happen in the sprint race. Also slower cars might get some chance to fight the mid level teams ! I say bring it on

[KL01toKA03]

Originally Posted by RM Motorsports

Who is excited ? and Who is not?

I'm not at all excited. This will take the fun out of qualifying. There is a certain uncertainty that comes with a one or two lap qualifying session. Extending that to a qualifying session that spans half a race kills the fun. My favorite qualifying format was the time when the drivers were given a single lap with the winner of the previous race starting first.

[Pancham]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

I'm not at all excited. This will take the fun out of qualifying. There is a certain uncertainty that comes with a one or two lap qualifying session. Extending that to a qualifying session that spans half a race kills the fun. My favorite qualifying format was the time when the drivers were given a single lap with the winner of the previous race starting first.

Look at the sprint race as a race and not qualifying and you will see it’s actually a lot more fun. Formula 2 has this format and it’s as exciting as it can get. Heck, we are now getting 2 races instead of one.

[Zed]

I am on the fence when it comes to sprint quali. Every technical and administrative change (dare I say innovation?!) in F1 has been met with resistance by a majority of the fans. Even changes squarely aimed at making the sport safer for drivers, marshalls, and competitors.
But considering how cars, tracks, formats, and rules have evolved, to me, it's clear that the sport is what it is today because of these changes and not in spite of it.

[Torquefreak]

Formula 1 is set to debut the Sprint Qualifying format at three Grands Prix in 2021, following an agreement reached between the FIA, Formula 1 and all 10 teams on the grid.

The Sprint Qualifying format in full

Friday :
60-minute First Practice in the morning with two sets of tyres for teams to choose freely.
Normal Qualifying format in the afternoon with five soft tyre sets available only.

Saturday:
60-minute Second Free Practice in the morning with one set of tyres for teams to choose freely.
100km Sprint Qualifying in the afternoon with two sets of tyres for teams to choose freely.

Sunday:
Full distance Grand Prix with two remaining sets of tyres.



What are your thoughts on the introduction of this format of race weekend?
Is it a welcome change from routine qualifying sessions, or does it unnecessarily complicate things?
The funniest thing is, a driver could top qualifying, and could STILL end up at the back of the grid on raceday!

[HKap]

This sounds exciting and also gives cars with true race pace an advantage over cars that are awesome over 1 flying lap but not that great over 50 laps. However, I don't think this would work on tracks like Monaco where overtaking is almost impossible. Tyre degradation will be important too. Sounds like fun on tracks like Spa, Monza and Silverstone.

[speedmiester]

Sounds interesting. Let's see how it goes about.
It will important to see how many will fight hard on Saturday for those points and how will the strategy work out to ensure engine longevity and keeping focus on the all important race the next day.
We all saw the qualifying format change debacle few years back. Hope this doesn't turn out the same way.
Keeps me occupied for the entire weekend.

[ChiragM]

Interesting. This means that there would be more drama over the weekend with two races and more fun for the viewers. Now need to be glued to the TV/Hotstar for an hour on Friday as well. Let's see how this experiment goes with these few race weekends. I am happy as long as it is not a reverse grid!!

Maybe add more number of tyre sets for the teams to use over the weekend?

Originally Posted by Torquefreak

The funniest thing is, a driver could top qualifying, and could STILL end up at the back of the grid on raceday!

They would have to be more careful during their second sessions on a Friday / Saturday to not throw all the hard work with a crash.

[Torquefreak]

Originally Posted by ChiragM

Now need to be glued to the TV/Hotstar for an hour on Friday as well. Let's see how this experiment goes with these few race weekends. I am happy as long as it is not a reverse grid!

Haha they sure are trying to increase viewership on Fridays.
Reverse grid idea was probably the stupidest thing in quite some time.

Silverstone has been confirmed as the first GP for testing the new format, we'll see how it pans out!

[slicvic]

Very Interesting.

What will happen in case of a crash and DNF on Saturday.Will spare cars see a reentry in F1

I hope minimal points are given to the first 3 places of Saturday too