Briatore Urges F1 to Introduce Sprint Races at Every Grand Prix

Flavio Briatore has called for Formula 1 to feature Sprint races at every Grand Prix weekend, arguing that the current Friday schedule offers fans little more than technical testing behind closed doors. The Alpine executive advisor believes expanding the format from six events to the full 24-race calendar would give spectators more action and ensure drivers are competing for results rather than merely gathering engineering data.

Why it matters:

The proposal lands in the middle of F1's broader push to prioritize spectacle, following recent comments from CEO Stefano Domenicali that casual fans care more about on-track drama than technical complexity. Adopting 24 Sprint races would fundamentally reshape resource management, forcing teams to rethink engine life, gearbox allocations, and race strategy across an already demanding season.

The details:

• Briatore told The Race his ideal format is "24 races, 24 sprint races," replacing Friday practice with meaningful competition.
• Currently, F1 features six Sprint weekends per season, with a standalone 100 km race offering championship points to the top eight finishers.
• The Italian argued fans deserve entertainment on Friday rather than watching drivers complete minimal running before returning to the garage.
• Briatore's stance echoes Domenicali's recent defense of the 2026 regulations, where the F1 CEO claimed most viewers are drawn to action rather than technical nuance.

What's next:

Formula 1 currently has no confirmed plans to expand the Sprint calendar beyond its existing six events in 2026. However, Briatore's intervention adds high-profile pressure to a conversation that is likely to resurface as the sport evaluates its sporting regulations and weekend formats for the 2027 season and beyond.