How F1's sprint format will work at 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Sprint qualifying is back this weekend as F1👍 heads to Interlagos for the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
As per last year, a shorter sprint race will take place on Saturday afternoon to deteꦕrmine the grid fo🍌r the main grand prix.
The format itself remains simila🍌r, however, there have been a number of changes made by 🎀F1 bosses to make the sprint race more rewarding for drivers.
How does F1 sprint work?
F1’s sprint qualifying is a 100km race on Saturday afternoon which is used to dec🦹ide the grid for the grand prix.
Its in♈troduction sees practice reduc🍌ed and drivers thrown straight into qualifying on Friday afternoon.
Friday will begin with one practice session followed by the conventio🐈nal qualifying format (Q1, Q2, Q3).
The result of qualifying will determine the sprint r💮ace grid, while the result of that will shape up the order for the main event on Sunday.
Practice has been reduced to two se🅷ssions (One session before qualifying and one session before the sprint).
Where will we see F1 sprint in 2022?
Originally, F1 bosses༒ hoped to run the sprint races at six grands prix this year but the teams didn’t agreඣe on the basis that costs could be too high in the cost cap era.
S🌳o like in 2021, F1 sprint will take place at three rಌace weekends.
Imola hosts the💟 first sprint weekend, followed by the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Finally, Interlagos will once again host a sprint race wi𒉰th the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
What changes have been made to the format?
Unlike l𝐆ast year, the accolade for pole position will be awarded to the driver who is fastes🐠t in qualifying.
In its first ye෴ar, the driver who won the sprint was officially awarded pole position, leading to some confusion💃 and criticism from fans.
The points syst🔜em has also been adjustღed for this year.
In 2021, points were only handed out to the to💯p three finishes (3-2-1), but for this year, points will be awarded to the top eight (8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1), giving drivers more incentive to go f💮or overtakes rather than settle for their grid position.
