formula 1
More thrill, more risk: The delicate F1 sprints
Formula 1 wants to provide more show and excitement with a new format in Baku. photo
© Sergei Grits/AP/dpa
Formula 1 wants to provide more show and excitement with a new format in Baku. However, this also entails increased risks. World champion Max Verstappen sees other ways for more excitement.
Max Verstappen would have gladly dispensed with the additional thrill in the narrow streets of Baku.
The introduction of a second qualification and the short-term approved format reform on the Grand Prix weekends with a sprint race are not at all to the liking of the once again dominant Formula 1 world champion, who now fears even more danger of a crash in Azerbaijan. But on the way to modernizing the racing series, more attractive formats and more show are the future for fans – even if the spectacle hunt is accompanied by worries.
“I’m nervous about a sprint in Baku because you just don’t have enough time to fix something when you have major damage,” Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack told the specialist portal “Autosport.com”. For the first time there will be sprints on a Formula 1 street circuit on Saturday. And for the first time, the result no longer determines the starting grid for the Grand Prix on Sunday (1 p.m. / Sky). The makers hope that the drivers will be more willing to take risks.
qualification preferred
In the future, on the sprint weekends – of which there are already six this season – the qualifying for the main race will take place on Friday. Separately, on Saturday there will be a shortened sprint qualifying session followed by a short race over just 100 kilometers, in which the winner gets eight World Championship points. In return, training on Saturday morning, which is quite irrelevant for the fans, will be cancelled, and the drivers will only have one hour of training per World Championship round on Friday.
“For me, sprints are just about survival, not a race,” said world champion Verstappen recently in Australia. The focus of the superior Red Bull driver is always on the actual Grand Prix, where there are 25 championship points for the winner. “It’s not in the DNA of Formula 1 to do these sprints. Formula 1 is about a good qualifying session and then a strong Sunday with a long race distance,” said Verstappen.
However, many others welcomed the changes. “A second qualifying is much better for the fans and also for us because it’s exciting,” said Haas team boss Günther Steiner: “It’s happening even more now with two qualifying sessions and two races – and I think that’s great for him Sports.” His opinion could change quickly, however, should his drivers have serious accidents on Saturday or be involved in chaos through no fault of their own. It is possible that a damaged car cannot be repaired in time.
Tight curves in the old town
There have been a number of serious accidents in Baku in the past. The circuit on the Caspian Sea offers a mixture of wide, high-speed straights and tight corners in the old town. Courage is required, arrogance is severely punished. In 2018, the then Red Bull teammates Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo collided after a tough duel and both retired.
In 2021, Lance Stroll crashed into the barrier after a tire burst. A similar thing happened to Verstappen, who was in the lead, and he was eliminated before he was finally able to win in Baku last year.
“Yes, we are nervous,” said McLaren team boss Andrea Stella and illustrated the dilemma of the racing teams. “At the same time we support the increase in spectacle through the sprint races. Somehow we have to adapt.” Ultimately, it’s about finding a good balance between show and acceptable risk, emphasized the Italian.
question of money
Since the introduction of a cost ceiling in the motorsport premier class, it has long been a question of money. After serious accidents, unlimited new parts can no longer be produced without this being at the expense of further development of the cars. Steiner had to feel that with Haas. When Mick Schumacher caused crashes with millions in damage last year, technical improvements could not be carried out as quickly as planned because the money had to flow into the repairs.
If Verstappen has his way, Formula 1 should start elsewhere anyway to create more spectacle. “How to get more action: You have to bring the cars closer together, more teams have to have a chance of winning, then the show will naturally be great,” said the Dutchman: “When six or seven teams are fighting for a win, then it would be incredible and you don’t have to change anything.”
But the racing series is currently a long way from sporting excitement. Hardly anyone doubts that Verstappen will secure his third world title in a row. Red Bull’s car is way ahead of the competition – even before the start in Baku.