P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Formula 1 will run its alternative sprint format this weekend in Shanghai but Fernando Alonso is apparently in favour of an even more aggressive schedule.
Fernando Alonso has expressed interest in starting Formula 1 weekends without practice sessions, heading straight into qualifying as stated by Pedro de la Rosa on the F1 Nation podcast. This weekend in China, F1 will introduce a sprint format with limited preparation time for teams, potentially leading to a varied starting grid. Alonso reportedly prefers an even more unpredictable weekend where he can skip warm-up sessions and go straight into qualifying, according to de la Rosa. The decision to host an F1 sprint event at the Shanghai International Circuit, absent from the calendar for five years, has raised concerns among drivers, yet de la Rosa believes challenges like this can help drivers showcase their adaptability and skills. He highlights that the sprint format often brings out the best in top drivers.
