P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alonso laments "game of who can run less" in F1 sprint practice
The sprint format in Formula 1 means teams have limited practice time to prepare their cars before sprint qualifying and race action, leading to unique FP1 strategies. During the recent sprint weekend in China, Lance Stroll topped FP1 as teams focused on long runs before switching to qualifying simulations. The tyre allocation for sprint events has been reduced to 12 sets, with four mediums, six softs, and two hards, prompting Fernando Alonso to suggest more sets would benefit the teams in FP1. Alonso criticized penalties affecting the racing spectacle and expressed concerns over tire management for the upcoming Miami sprint weekend. Drivers like George Russell appreciate the new sprint format but suggest equalizing the tyre rules for practice sessions to avoid impacting the rest of the weekend’s performance. Despite challenges and interruptions, FP1 sessions in 2024 have seen consistent lap counts, indicating the teams’ adaptability to varying circumstances throughout the season.
