As in 2021, Formula 1 is renewing its qualifying sprint race format for three Grands Prix, starting with that of Emilia-Romagna on Saturday April 23, while introducing some new features. The legendary Imola circuit is therefore the scene of the first act in 2022, followed by the Austrian Grand Prix, on July 10, then as in 2021, that of Brazil, on November 13. What is the principle of these very specific weekends? Follow the leader.
One qualification, two races, two starting grids
With this format, the classic qualifications (time trial) are brought forward from Saturday to Friday. Their result defines the starting grid for a sprint race of around 100 km (30 minutes) on Saturday, the classification of which in turn determines the grid for the Grand Prix (300 km) on Sunday. At Imola, the drivers will set off for 21 laps on Saturday. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) took pole in qualifying to start the first Saturday. Unlike the classic Grand Prix, the sprint race takes place without a mandatory pit stop. Before the sprint race, a second free practice session is organized on Saturday (one less session than a classic weekend). At the end of the sprint race, the place of each driver at the finish becomes that which he will occupy at the start of the traditional Sunday race.
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A revised points scale
If in 2021, the sprint brought points to the first three (3, 2 and 1), this time it is the first eight who are rewarded in the championship. Whoever finishes first on Saturday will have eight additional points on the clock. Then 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points will be distributed to the next pilots. Thus, the same driver can total a maximum of 34 points during a sprint format weekend: eight for the sprint, 25 for the victory in the Grand Prix and 1 for the bonus point for the best lap in the race.
The official pole position given to the fastest qualifying time
For the first year of this new format, in 2021, the official pole position was awarded to the driver who had won the sprint race, and not to the one who had set the fastest qualifying time preceding the sprint race. In 2022, new logic: the best qualifying time, which will start on pole in the race-sprint on Saturday, will be credited in its pole position record. Even if he is not the one who will start from the first position during the race on Sunday.