Official confirmation has come from the FIA and the Formula 1 Commission regarding the new Sprint weekend layout, which kicks off this weekend in Azerbaijan. This revised schedule will be implemented at six events during the 2023 season. To provide some context, the 2021 debut of the Sprint format utilized a Friday qualifier to set the grid for Saturday's short race, which subsequently decided the starting order for the Sunday Grand Prix.
The Formula 1 Commission and the FIA have confirmed the adjustments to the Sprint format which will see an additional qualifying session added to the schedule for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The new F1 Sprint format will be in effect for all six race events that will be staged across the 2023 season. F1 Sprint made its debut back in 2021, with the original format seeing qualifying shifted to Friday and setting the grid for a new 100km dash on Saturday, which in turn determined the starting order for the main event on Sunday.
Under the current system, Friday is reserved for the first practice session and the main qualifying, which directly determines the grid for Sunday's race. Saturday has been transformed into 'sprint day,' featuring a specific qualifying session called the 'Sprint Shootout' immediately followed by the 100km Sprint race. Consequently, teams will only have one official practice session throughout the entire weekend.
Notably, the finishing order of Saturday's Sprint race will have no bearing on where drivers start the Grand Prix on Sunday. The 'Sprint Shootout' is a condensed version of qualifying: SQ1 runs for 12 minutes, SQ2 for 10, and SQ3 for 8. This new sequence replaces the old Saturday morning FP2. Tire regulations are strict, requiring fresh rubber for every stage—mediums are mandatory for SQ1 and SQ2, while softs must be used for SQ3.
The points distribution for the Sprint remains the same as in 2022, rewarding the top eight finishers. The winner takes home eight points, the second-place driver receives seven, third gets six, and so on, down to a single point for eighth place. These points contribute to both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships.
The regulations regarding penalties have also been clarified. Any penalties incurred during the first practice or the main qualifying session will be applied to the Sunday Grand Prix. Conversely, penalties earned during the Sprint Shootout will affect the Sprint race grid, and any penalties handed out during the Sprint itself will be carried over to the main race on Sunday.
All ten teams have consented to these scheduling changes. This comes after comments made by Max Verstappen during the Australian Grand Prix in April, where he expressed uncertainty about his future in the sport if the weekend formats continued to shift. The reigning champion, who is tied to Red Bull until 2028, has been vocal about his distaste for the sprint concept.