For the first time in its history, Formula One experimented with its usually unalterable schedule by adding a 17 lap sprint race to the calendar of the British Grand Prix, replacing the usual 45 minute qualifying session.
Prior to its first test at Silverstone, critics of the scheme anticipated that the anxiousness of the drivers in damaging their cars would overshadow any potential for excitement which the sprint race might have offered. Additionally, over such a short distance, it seems unlikely that overtaking would present any major surprises, in an era where overtaking is already predictable due to DRS and the preventative size of the new racing cars.
After its trial at the British Grand Prix, those questions have not been fully answered. Among the drivers and team principles, reactions were positive, but the results did not substantiate such a response. For the most part, the standings after the sprint race were very much akin (if not identical) to previous qualifying sessions.
Title leader Max Verstappen reclaimed pole position after losing out in qualifying to an unexpectedly quick Lewis Hamilton, whose Mercedes seemed to be rejuvenated in his home Grand Prix as he held on to second in the sprint race. The top 5, consisting of Valtteri Bottas in the second silver arrow, Charles Leclerc for Ferrari and Lando Norris with another consistent appearance behind the top teams, was very reminiscent of previous sessions.
This is not surprising; the teams and drivers’ performances are not affected by a change in racing formula, but the results do not reflect the levelling of the playing field which was suggested. Furthermore, this sedated qualifying order begs the question, ‘why change the F1 schedule if the alteration has few noticeable effects?’
Conversely, some criticism came from the fact that incidents during the race unfairly disadvantaged drivers who would have been battling for a top 10 or higher finish. Carlos Sainz was forced to limit the damage done by a tangle with Williams driver George Russell, whilst Sergio Perez was sent spinning to a pit-lane start for the Grand Prix, during a period when it is more vital than ever that his team, Red Bull, scores highly in the Grands Prix. Toto Wolff, team principle and co-owner of Mercedes AMG Petronas commented, “Overall it is a good add-on. I don’t see it at every race. I think there is too much randomness. If you see Checo spinning out and then retiring, last is not the place Sergio Perez should be and therefore, for him, it could work really against you if you are one of the front runners.” These statements were made despite that his drivers finished in second and third positions.
“There is too much randomness, but if the next few ones go like this one it has a place in the calendar in a limited form.”
CEO of Formula one, Stefano Domenicali, said “If we don’t try it, we will never know if it is an asset or not.” The sprint race has two further tests which are unconfirmed, although reportedly the next will be held at Monza, and the last possibly in Brazil, but the race coordinators are carefully studying the pandemic’s development in the country.
The racing type is already in use in Formula 2, to much avail, but Formula One is enormously resistant to change. After qualifying was established in 1950 (before which the order of drivers was determined by lots), there were two times to set lap records, Friday and Saturday. However after 1996, the sessions transformed into a ‘one-hour shootout’, where each driver was given 12 laps to prove themselves on track.
This system gave the sport some of its most tightly contested battles ever: at the Canadian Grand Prix in 1996, the gap between pole-sitter Damon Hill and team-mate Jaques Villenueve was just 0.02 seconds. Similarly, in the Portuguese Grand Prix of the same year, the two Williams drivers were separated by only a 9 thousandth of a second.
The process was tweaked again in with one lap qualifying in 2003, and then again with elimination in 2006. Fundamentally, the system has not changed since the 1990s, but the Sprint Race offers an exciting alternative to that.
Ross Brawn, Managing director of Formula One, has stated that if the system does not work then it will be immediately scrapped, but recently the sport has been eager to respond to fans’ comments in shaping the sport for the future. Speaking about the thinking behind the sprint race Brawn said, “We want to give fans engagement throughout the weekend”.
There have been one-off special events in the past: in 2014 with double points at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for instance, but none have endured F1’s focus for efficiency. Perhaps the sprint race will drive against history, and break Formula One’s image of inflexibility.
