In a bid to supercharge the spectacle, Formula 1’s chiefs have green-lit a major overhaul of the Sprint format for 2024, while also backpedaling on the proposed ban of tyre blankets. These changes are set to reinvigorate the racing weekend and maintain the high-octane drama we all crave.
Between the lines:
- The current Sprint format will undergo significant changes in 2024, with reverse grids and a new weekend schedule on the cards.
- Tyre blankets, previously set for a ban in 2025, will remain to aid in tyre management and race quality.
- Adjustments to the Sprint event timing and parc fermé rules are being fine-tuned for a more thrilling race experience.
- The F1 Commission is also introducing cockpit cooling improvements and safety measures for the 2024 season.
- Teams are restricted from developing their 2026 cars until 2025, ensuring a fair competitive landscape.
Go deeper:
Formula 1’s quest for peak excitement has led to a pivotal meeting of the F1 Commission in Abu Dhabi, where the sport’s future was mapped out with some bold strokes. The Sprint races, a recent addition aimed at injecting a dose of adrenaline into the race weekend, haven’t quite hit the mark. In response, the powers that be are plotting a revamp, potentially flipping the script with reverse grids and a shuffle of the weekend’s agenda. Imagine the fastest cars slicing through the pack on a Friday afternoon Sprint – the very thought is enough to rev up any fan’s heart rate!
But wait, there’s more. The hotly debated tyre blankets, which keep the rubber at optimal temperatures for grip, were on the chopping block for 2025. However, after some reflection and a few shivers at the thought of cold tyres, the Commission has decided to keep them in the pit lane arsenal. This is a win for race dynamics, as drivers can push their cars from the get-go without the tiptoeing associated with cold tyres.
In the cockpit, drivers have been feeling the heat, quite literally. The Commission has given a nod to a new cooling scoop, ensuring drivers can keep their cool as the on-track action heats up. This tweak is a breath of fresh air, especially after the sweltering challenges faced in places like Qatar.
Safety is also getting a tune-up, with measures to prevent rogue metallic floor components from turning competitors’ cars into unintentional target practice. Plus, a retest of wheel covers is on the agenda to cut through the spray in wet conditions, because seeing is, quite frankly, pretty important when you’re hurtling down the track at breakneck speeds.
Lastly, in a move akin to keeping racehorses in their stables before the big race, the Commission has put a leash on teams’ ambitions to start developing their 2026 chariots. This ensures that when the flag drops on the new era of F1, it’s a fair fight for all. So, as the F1 circus packs up for another season, the stage is set for a 2024 season that promises to be anything but business as usual.
