F1 Commission: a new step towards six sprint races in 2023

This time, Liberty Media seems to have convinced the teams. While they were reluctant to double the number of sprint races, and therefore increase the total over a season to six, it seems that they have finally decided to accept this proposal for 2023. “Despite the fact that it supports an increase in the number of sprint races, the FIA ​​is still evaluating the impact of this proposal on its operational staff, and will return to the Commission”. A communication which comes as the first of the three sprint races planned for 2022 has just been contested in Imola, where Max Verstappen garnered as many points as possible, both on Saturday and on Sunday.

Towards a new evolution of the format?

A format fiercely defended by Ross Brawn, to the point of maintaining it for an additional year after the three tests in 2021, at Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos. “ Racing drivers are racing drivers, and I never imagined that they would take it easy, declared the Briton all smiles a few minutes after the checkered flag of the fourth sprint race in the history of the discipline, Saturday in Imola. We were also lucky that the tires were perfect for sprinting, as they started to degrade. In a normal race, drivers would have come into the pits, changed tires and it would have been all about strategy, except under the Sprint format they only had one set and had to make it last. What is equally interesting is that it probably gave Ferrari a good preview for the Grand Prix. In light of this race, they will be stronger tomorrow than they were today »

Moreover, the sports director of the F1 did not wait until he had left Emilia-Romagna to announce the color. “ From Tuesday we want to discuss the increase to six, he insisted at Imola. It was perhaps less obvious last year with the old cars, but with the new cars the bosses can measure the value of what we gave to the fans at Imola. The thing to always remember about the Sprint is that it gives three days of action for the fans and you can't ignore that. Moving to six races is the priority. Then, if there are format changes that seem valid to us, we can consider them. » A format which has already evolved in 2022 since it is now the first eight drivers who score points in the Drivers' Championship, compared to three in 2021. Let's see what other modifications Formula 1 has in store for us for the future of this sprint format, including the The future in 2023 will therefore go through six performances.

The 2026 engine mentioned

The assembled Commission also addressed the issue of 2026 engines, determining the four main pillars and objectives of the new regulations concerning its future power units: maintaining the show with powers equivalent to those of today, Sustainable development with an electric percentage of 50%, and the use of 100% renewable fuel, financial viability with a reduction in costs without encroaching on the technological character specific to F1, without forgetting the desire toattract new builders. 

Alongside the changes to the pure engine regulations, the FIA ​​also indicated that this would be accompanied by changes to the aerodynamics. With, among other things, a significant reduction in drag, reducing the dimensions and weight of cars, simplifying certain parts even further in order to reduce costs, and finally continuing the work on safety. There was also talk of generalizing the presence of cameras in pilots' helmets from 2023, taking note of the success that this has been each time it has been tested. The Commission also noted the passage of a tire allocation from 13 to 11 per pilot during two events in 2023, in order to test the consequences, always with a view to sustainable development. 

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