Mercedes and Red Bull, two of the biggest rivals in Formula One, have united against the new changes in the sprint race format.
FIA introduced a new race format in 2021 known as the “Sprint Race” in a bid to attract new fans and create more excitement around the sport. The format called for a shorter race to be held on Saturday to determine the starting grid for the main race on Sunday and squash the traditional qualifying session. Instead, the qualifying session would be held on Friday to determine the starting grid of the sprint race.
However, this year, the FIA has called in for a change in the format. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali held multiple meetings with F1 team bosses to discuss the necessary changes. While many have supported the idea, Mercedes and Redbull bosses Toto Wolff and Christain Horner are not much pleased with it and have asked the FIA to take a cautious approach.
Toto Wolff Warns FIA Against Drastic Changes In Sprint Format
Just a while after Christian Horner called out the new sprint race format, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has echoed the same sentiment. This season, the FIA wants to tweak the sprint format by inducting an additional qualifying session for the main race. Moreover, the official body intends to implement the new changes into this season’s first sprint race during the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. While most of the team principals have unanimously supported the idea, Toto and Christian have their doubts.
Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, said he supports the discussions held to transform the sport to attract more audiences. However, he warned the FIA and urged them to take a cautious approach. Wolff strongly admitted that he is conservative when it comes to formatting changes, but he understands the necessity of the move to further push the sport. Hence, he has urged the F1 boss, Stefano Domenicali, to stay a little vigilant and “tweak things without using a baseball bat, but with a Stanley knife.” The silver arrows boss fears too many quick and unnecessary changes and would rather destroy the sport and take the fun out of it.
Christian Horner Slams The F1 Sprint Format Changes
Meanwhile, Redbull remains the only team who are publically calling out the FIA over these new format changes. After Max Verstappen threatened to quit the sport in the wake of these constant changes, his boss came out with his support. He called out the FIA for tweaking the format during a street race like the Azerbaijan Gran Prix, which is already a high-risk race.
Horner feels that even one race is more than enough at Baku as it demands so much from the car. He fears the cost gap would take a hit as the car squeezes in a lot of money in damage repair post a street race. While the Redbull boss had his doubts and fears, Christian states that Baku would be one of the most exciting races of the season from a viewer’s perspective.