Horner: F1 sprint format doesn’t work for fans, drivers or teams
"I think what we have at the moment isn't quite right for the drivers, the fans or the teams,” explained Horner. “I think there needs to be more to it.
“We have just won a sprint race, and nobody quite knows what to do because all the focus is already on the grand prix. It's like you've won a long run and got a medal for it"
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/horner-f1-sprint-format-doesnt-work-for-fans-drivers-or-teams/10543120/Open linkView original on sopuli.xyz
10 replies
The single day format of Formula-E allows the double headers. F1 doesn't need sprints, it needs support series that people care about
Agreed.
F1 does have feeder series up the wazoo (F2, F3, Formula-E, F1 Academy), it just doesn't market and broadcast them very well.
They wouldn't really need to spice up the actual GP if there was stuff happening with the feeder series through the weekend.
For once, Horner says something I can agree with.
The sprints are targeted towards DTS and growing market fans (the U.S mainly) and were supposed to bring "fast pace action and drama" to each day during GP weekend.
It failed. Now let's fire the people who came up with this, go back to the old format and never mention this fiasco again.
And give new fans a bit more credit than "oh, they're just too dumb to enjoy practice sessions, we need to create DRAMA for Netflix".
I don't think the show or drama has much to do with this. The sprint format adds a third day with a significant session (quali on Friday) to the weekend. This should increase the event's revenue and thus the amount FOM can ask from organizers to host a GP.
If new contracts are signed for more money then the sprint format is a success.
Sprints r boring
Sorta fun when first introduced but now it’s just odd. Was it suppose to make the entire weekend more exciting besides just qual and the race?
Bigger revenue, something on friday (quali) something on saturday (sq and sprintrace) and the main event on sunday (race). Instead of friday fp1&2 (not very interesting) saturday fp3&quali (bigger revenue) and the race on sunday (biggest revenue).
So this format will stay if there isn't going to be a better format for the fans with, at least, the same amount of financial gains.
How about an actual sprint? Unlimited tires, unlimited DRS, 12 laps.
What's the tires for then?
Tbh I enjoyed this weekend's Brazil sprint and GP. Seems, however, the sprints for city circuits fixed nothing.