P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The sprint format will undergo more changes this year and reigning World Champion Max Verstappen has weighed in on the altered format.
Max Verstappen believes that Formula 1’s latest sprint weekend changes create a “better format,” despite his overall dislike of the alternative schedule, reintroduced at six events this season. Verstappen has consistently criticized the format, which diminishes practice and adds an additional race to the weekend. Various adjustments have been made to the format each year since its inception in 2021, with more modifications planned for the upcoming season. Friday’s activities will involve free practice and a shootout to determine the grid for the sprint race, while the sprint race will take place on Saturday, followed by Grand Prix qualifying. Furthermore, teams will be allowed to make changes for qualifying and the Grand Prix after the sprint race due to the lifting of parc fermé conditions. Verstappen praised the new format’s logistical coherence, stating that while it improves the weekend approach, it fails to increase his racing excitement. Additionally, Verstappen’s perspective was echoed by former teammate Pierre Gasly, who expressed belief that the changes would benefit the engineers by providing them with more opportunities to contribute to the car’s performance throughout the weekend.
