Formula 1 has agreed to implement sprint qualifying races at three grands prix this season.
The new format was mooted initially back at the start of the year, with rule-makers and all ten teams finally agreeing to the system.
F1’s plan then received support from the F1 Commission on Monday.
The sprint qualifying idea has teams qualify on Friday for a shortened race, which sets the grid for Sunday’s feature Grand Prix.
The first sprint qualifying will be used at the British Grand Prix. Other rounds to host the unique format are the Italian Grand Prix and a yet-to-be-determined flyaway race.
FRIDAY:
- 60-minute FP1, two sets of tyres available
- Regular qualifying in the afternoon, five sets of softs available
SATURDAY:
- 60-minute FP2, one set of tyres available
- 100km Sprint Qualifying, two sets of tyres available
SUNDAY:
- Full distance Grand Prix, two remaining sets of tyres
The winner of the sprint race will receive three championship points, with second place awarded two points and a single point to third place.
Parc ferme rules have also been altered due to the sprint qualifying race.
Cars will enter parc ferme conditions before the start of Friday’s qualifying. However, teams will be allowed to make limited changes to make FP2 on Saturday “a useful session”.
Cars will then be in full parc ferme conditions after the qualifying race.
Teams will also be allowed to spend $500,000 on top of their budget cap to cover the costs of the three sprint races.
If the format proves successful, F1 are keen to roll it out at selected grands prix in the future.
“I’m not sure this format would be as successful at Monaco,” F1 Managing Director, Motorsports, Ross Brawn said. “We’re considering these weekends being Grand Slam events, spread through the season, so it is something different.
“I don’t think it’ll go to the whole season, I think it’ll be a limited number of races, but that is to be decided.”
