Sprint Race F1, what it is, how it works, regulations

In the 2024 Formula 1 seasonthe new format of the Sprint Race. Friday now sees the proceedings taking place free 1 and the qualifying for the Sprint. Saturday, however, is dedicated to Sprint Race and at qualifying for Sunday's main race. The time between the two Saturday appointments is four hours. Finally, Sunday is the main race day. The appointments to keep in mind for 2024 with this formula are: China, Miami Austria, United States, Brazil and Qatar.

Sprint Race F1, what is it

The Sprint Race is a 30 minute race and approximately 100 km, which serves to make the race weekend more spectacular. Sprint Races were introduced in 2021 with the aim of making the race weekend more exciting and from year to year the format has undergone various changes, causing several controversies. The last update for 2023 envisaged Saturday as almost a separate day from the race weekend and in 2024 that will change again.

Qualifying and Sprint Race F1, how they work

The recent meeting of F1 Commission in anticipation of the 2024 Formula 1 season, which starts on March 3rd Bahraindecided to start again on Friday with free practice 1 followed by Sprint Shootout. Consequentially, the mini race takes place on Saturday morningfollowed by qualifying for the Grand Prix in the afternoon, keeping the main race on Sunday.

This reorganization of the weekend days creates a race against time, with a break of only four hours between the Sprint and the Grand Prix Qualifying, becoming a crucial moment. The session fighting against the clock is always divided into Q1, Q2 and Q3, with the same method of elimination and promotion to the next round. Furthermore, the situation could get complicated in case of accidents during the Sprintputting the team's chances for Sunday's race into play.

Sprint Race F1 regulations

Full details of the 2024 Sprint Race regulations have yet to be finalized. In any case, the implementation of two periods is potentially expected Park closed: one that would cover the Sprint events and another that would be activated from Saturday afternoon qualifying until Sunday's race. Among the critical points it must be said that with only four hours available between the morning Sprint Race and the afternoon qualifying, the teams could find themselves in a race against time.

It is clear that they will want to make the most of Sprint's data and analysis to best prepare for the race. With only one free practice session 1 on Friday, teams tend to rely mostly on factory-prepared basic setups, bringing only small changes based on track conditions. In the event of an accident, however, we are discussing the possibility of having pre-assembled spare frames in part, to deal with any incidents that require quick replacements.

Sprint Shootout F1 Qualifying

The times of the Sprint Shootout decide the starting grid of the F1 Sprint which starts on Friday afternoon, after the first free practice session. The result of the F1 Sprint does not determine changes in the starting grid and the pole position for Sunday's match, which is instead established by the traditional format of qualifications which takes place on Saturday afternoon, after the Sprint Race.

Possible penalty on the grid received in the first free practice or qualifying are applied to the race, while any grid penalties received in the Sprint Shootout they apply only to the Sprint; finally, any grid penalties received in the Sprint will apply in the race.

Sprint Race F1 Points

The assignment criteria does not change points of Sprint, for the world championship rankings (drivers and manufacturers).

At the end of the mini competition, prizes are awarded to: top 8 classified of Sprint: 8 points to the winner7 in the second, 6 in the third, 5 in the fourth, 4 in the fifth, 3 in the sixth, 2 in the seventh and 1 in the eighth.

F1 races 2024 with the Sprint Race

The 2024 races with Sprint are those scheduled on the tracks of Shanghai, China, Miami in the USA, Red Bull Ring in Austria, Austin, Texas in the United States, Interlagos in Brazil And Losail in Qatar.

As for times, the Saturday morning Sprint Race begins four hours earlier of qualifying for the Grand Prix. For example, to give a reference to European times, the short race in Austria starts at 12.00while qualifying takes place at 4.00pm. It should be noted that the following day, the main race normally starts at 3pmas in previous years.

Read also:

→ 2024 F1 Calendar

→ Formula 1 timetables

→ F1 driver and constructor points as assigned

→ Sprint Race how it works

→ LIVE F1 Times

→ F1 NEWS

→ New F1 Power Unit Regulations 2026

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