Max Verstappen slams Formula 1's sprint format as grid controversy erupts

The controversial sprint race format was introduced in 2021 and has been a topic of debate ever since.

The 2021 season saw three weekends incorporating the sprint format, and last season, it was expanded to six weekends. The Qatar sprint race in October witnessed Verstappen clinching his third F1 title, sparking further discussions about the viability of this format.

At the recent United States Grand Prix, which also featured a sprint event, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced disqualification due to post-race technical checks. Their cars' plank thickness was below the allowable 1mm, leading to their exclusion from the race results. Teams attributed this issue to the limited practice time offered during sprint weekends for car setup.

Verstappen, a vocal critic of the sprint format, emphasized that such problems could be averted by adhering to F1's traditional schedule. He stated, "We should just get rid of the sprint weekend, and then everyone can set up their cars normally. These issues only happen during sprint weekends, where everything is rushed between FP1 and qualifying."

Formula 1 has seen numerous technical regulation changes throughout its history, including a major overhaul in the previous year. However, Verstappen is not convinced that these rule changes are improving the sport. 

He expressed his opinion on the matter, saying, "Why do we need to try and invent something? Our product works if cars are competitive, and the rules remain consistent for a long time. In other sports like football, rules have stayed the same for a century. Why the constant need for new innovations?"

Verstappen's perspective is clear – he believes that exciting and competitive racing can be achieved without resorting to the sprint format or weekend events. He emphasizes that it's crucial to maintain a level of competitiveness that keeps the cars close together on the track.

With the next Formula 1 event being the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, scheduled for the weekend of November 3-5, fans eagerly anticipate the spectacle that this traditional race promises. The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is set to take place over 71 laps of the 4.309-kilometre Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Brazil, and Verstappen's criticism of the sprint format continues to fuel the debate about the future of Formula 1.

 

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