After a relentlessly dull F1 Sprint Qualifying in Austria, it’s safe to say many fans shared the same sentiment as the writer – it was an exceedingly boring race. Apart from the battles between Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri, there were few exciting moments to be found. This phenomenon highlights the awkward position that F1’s Sprint Qualifying currently finds itself in.
If no adjustments are made, this reform aimed at enhancing the excitement of the sport seems to have strayed from its original purpose and risks being axed due to monotony. So, how should F1’s Sprint Qualifying be reformed? Below, we discuss four aspects for potential improvement.
1. Increase the distance of F1 Sprint Qualifying to prevent DRS trains from dominating the race.
The main issue with Sprint Qualifying currently lies in its short distance. Many drivers don’t get a chance to break away from the DRS train before the race is nearly over. In the Austrian F1 Sprint, this phenomenon persisted throughout most of the event, contributing significantly to its lackluster nature.
To rectify this, the race distance could be extended from the current 100 kilometers to 150 to 200 kilometers. This would allow more drivers to escape the DRS train and still have ample racing time. Moreover, teams could strategize around pit stops to improve their positions, adding more variables and excitement to the competition.
2. Mandate one pit stop for all teams to introduce more unpredictability.
In recent seasons, teams rarely opt for a pit stop during the 100-kilometer Sprint Qualifying, as the short distance makes it disadvantageous. This contributes to the boredom. A simple solution could be to enforce a mandatory pit stop for tire changes.
This would increase the race’s excitement and variability, with teams needing to consider when to pit and which tires to use.
3. Adjust the timing of F1 Sprint Qualifying to encourage more aggressive racing.
The tight schedule between Sprint Qualifying and Qualifying, just three hours apart, poses a problem. Any incident during Sprint Qualifying, like accidents or driving errors, could jeopardize a driver’s participation in Qualifying. As a result, drivers tend to race more cautiously.
Thus, adjusting the timing might encourage more aggressive racing, as drivers wouldn’t need to worry as much about the consequences of a bold move. In Austria, we saw this conservative approach, with drivers often avoiding hard defense to minimize the risk of collisions.
4. Increase the points available in Sprint Qualifying to motivate more competitive participation.
With only the top eight earning points, and those points relatively low, teams outside the top ten often prioritize data collection. If the Sprint Qualifying distance increases, so too should the points awarded. Similar to the main race, points could be allocated to ninth or tenth place, decreasing in value, such as 10-8-7-6 or 10-9-8-7, ensuring greater involvement for more drivers.
Moreover, with FIA’s new regulations extending points positions to 12 in the main race, this would prevent parity between Sprint Qualifying and the main race’s point systems.
Therefore, it seems FIA needs to undertake comprehensive reforms for Sprint Qualifying. These are the writer’s thoughts after several uninspiring Sprint Qualifying sessions; if you enjoyed the article, please like and support. Alternatively, feel free to share your opinions in the comments section.
