Briatore calls for Sprint races at every F1 Grand Prix

Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has called for Formula 1 to radically overhaul its weekend format by introducing Sprint races at all 24 Grands Prix. The former Renault chief argues that Friday's practice-heavy schedule offers little to spectators and that drivers should battle for points instead of merely collecting data for their engineers.

Why it matters:

The proposal highlights the growing tension between Formula 1's engineering culture and its push to become a streamlined entertainment product. Expanding Sprint races to every round would scrap the traditional Friday routine, forcing teams to abandon their data-gathering approach while promising fans competitive action from the opening session of each race weekend.

The details:

• Briatore told The Race he would implement Sprint races at every event, moving far beyond the current six Sprint weekends that feature a standalone points-paying race for the top eight finishers.
• The Italian criticized Friday practice as overly technical, claiming spectators gain little from watching drivers complete short runs before returning to the garage.
• He stressed that drivers should be "driving for something" rather than simply engineering the car, insisting a full Sprint calendar would give fans value across the entire weekend.
• The comments arrive days after F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali defended the 2026 regulations by asserting most fans care about on-track action, not the technical complexities of how cars are driven.

Between the lines:

Briatore's entertainment-first proposal aligns closely with Domenicali's recent argument that Formula 1 must prioritize spectacle over technical nuance. Together, the remarks signal that the sport's leadership is increasingly willing to sacrifice traditional practice to deliver a more digestible product. While teams may resist the logistical strain of 24 Sprint events, the message from the top is clear: the show matters more than the spreadsheet.