Sprint race overhaul agreed by Formula 1 bosses in time for Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The F1 Commission met in Geneva on Tuesday primarily to discuss the planned overhaul of a grand prix weekend.

From Friday at the six grand prix weekends with sprint races, starting in Baku, there will be just one practice session on the Friday followed by standalone qualifying for the race.

Previously at sprint races, qualifying had taken place for the sprint races with the sprint race positions deciding the grid for Sunday’s main race.

Under the new rules, Saturday will entirely be put aside to the sprint with qualifying – known as the sprint shootout – followed by the shortened race itself. There will be three parts to sprint qualifying: Q1 lasting 12 minutes, Q2 10 minutes and Q3 eight minutes.

Points will remain unchanged from last year’s regulations when there were just three sprint races compared to six in 2023.

The sprint overhaul has taken place in response to feedback from fans, drivers, media and broadcaster in a bid to improve the racing in the sprint and also address the increasingly unpopular practice sessions.