Carlos Sainz Highlights F1 Sprint Format Flaw: Spoiling the Grand Prix

Williams driver Carlos Sainz has pinpointed a critical problem with Formula 1's current Sprint race weekends: they reveal too much of the first stint of the Grand Prix, thereby "spoiling" that section of the main race for both fans and drivers.

While the Spaniard didn't have a quick fix, he suggested several potential ideas, including mandated soft tire usage for Sprints and even reverse grids, emphasizing the need for F1 to remain open to changes based on feedback and effectiveness.

Why it matters:

Carlos Sainz's insights as both a driver and a director in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association offer a valuable perspective on the Sprint format. His concern that Sprints diminish the intrigue of the main Grand Prix's opening stages points to a fundamental issue that could impact fan engagement and the overall excitement of race weekends.

The details:

• Sainz argues that the current Sprint format effectively serves as a preview for the Grand Prix's first stint, as qualifying uses a similar format and the Sprint itself replicates the initial tire strategy with slightly lighter cars.
• He proposes a simple, short-term solution: mandating soft tires for all Sprint races. This would introduce higher degradation, making the Sprint's strategy distinct from the main race and utilize tires that are often discarded after a single qualifying lap.
• Other ideas pitched by Sainz include:
  • Experimenting with different formats for the Sprint.
  • Potentially trying a "super pole" style qualifying for the Sprint (SQ3).
  • Even reverse grids, though he expressed some reservations.
• Sainz stresses the importance of an open-minded approach, encouraging F1 to "keep trying different things" and not be afraid to discard formats that don't work.
• F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has also indicated a desire to continue evolving race weekend offerings, potentially adding more Sprint races in 2026 at venues like Singapore, Zandvoort, and Montreal.
• MotoGP, also owned by Liberty Media, uses a Sprint format at every weekend, a "big step" that F1 aims to consider while evolving its offerings for fans and drivers.

Between the lines:

Sainz's comments highlight a tension within F1's strategy to enhance weekend spectacle. While Sprint races were introduced to add more competitive action, their current execution risks cannibalizing the excitement of the main event. His suggestions aim to make the Sprint a standalone, engaging event rather than a mere dress rehearsal.

What's next:

The discussions around the Sprint format are ongoing, with F1 management, drivers, and teams all looking for optimal solutions. Expect further experimentation and tweaks to the Sprint weekend structure in the coming seasons, as F1 seeks to balance increased racing action with maintaining the Grand Prix's prestige and unpredictability. The feedback from drivers like Sainz will be crucial in shaping these future changes, ensuring the evolution aligns with both fan and participant expectations.