Sprint racing has entered the Formula 1 under suspicion: many fans and some riders wanted nothing to do with the fact that the standings didn’t order a Sunday start. After two seasons that landscape has changed and the latest experiences have been so satisfying that the organizers have decided double them next year, so it will be six, and this Wednesday they announced where they will be held.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has confirmed that the circuits that will host them are those that best adapt to this new format classification.

Thus, the elect were baku (Azerbaijan GP 28-30 April), Spielberg (Austrian GP from 30 June to 2 July), spa-francorchamps (Belgian GP from 28 to 30 July), lusail (Qatar GP from 6 to 8 October), Austin (United States GP from 20 to 22 October) e interlagos (GP of Brazil from 3 to 5 November).

In this way, as in 2022, what remained out of the selection was Monzagiven that the “Temple of Speed” had been in the 2021 pilot test. Imola, the other traditional Italian circuit, was not chosen either. nor Silverstone, where F1 sprint racing opened on 17 July last year.

The FIA’s explanation was that the six chosen are “the scenarios that allow it more passes and more competition to bring more excitement to fans over the three-day weekend.” For example, Interlagos will continue as a venue after hosting in 2021 and 2022, while it will be the first time of a street circuit (Baku).

Although the current two-time world champion, Max Verstappenshowed little enthusiasm for this qualifying format, which last season gave the last pole of the year to the Briton George Russell in Brazil, the managers of the maximum category have doubled the bet by doubling the number of “Sprint Races” from the next.

“We have seen an extremely positive reaction at F1 Sprint events for the first two years of operation and we look forward to bringing even more action to fans with six events next year, including our first US F1 Sprint in Austin,” said the president and CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali. Your FIA peer, Mohammed Ben SulayemHe added: “We look forward to this exciting addition to the calendar.”

Furthermore, they reiterated that the format will be maintained: a race of over 100 kilometres which replaces the traditional Saturday qualifying system.

The only difference since its arrival on the scene is that this format originally awarded additional points to drivers finishing in the top three, while this year Those who finished between fourth and eighth place also added.

Thanks to this system, F1 seeks above all to monetize the weekend, both in the stands and through media coverage. Furthermore, Friday, normally dedicated to the first free practice sessions with a small sporting challenge, is characterized by the emotion of the grand prix qualifications with a sprint race.

The 2023 sprint race calendar

– Baku, Azerbaijan (April 30)

– Spielberg, Austria (July 2)

– Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (July 30)

– Lusail, Qatar (October 8)

– Austin, United States (October 22)

– Interlagos, Brazil (November 5)