The F1 sprint race, an alternative qualifying format trialled by Formula 1 in the 2021 season, might not happen at all in the 2022 season.
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One of Formula 1’s latest innovations might be in trouble ahead of the 2022 season. The F1 sprint race, trialled at three venues as an alternative qualifying method in 2021, might not happen in 2022.
This is due to an impasse between teams and F1’s rights holders over a funding package for the races.
A report in Motorsport sheds some light on the situation. According to the report, teams were paid an extra $100,000 per event for each sprint in 2021. They were also given a cost cap allowance of $450,000 for the three events.
Not only that, there was scope for an extra $100,000 per car for accident damage in case of serious incidents.
“We might not, which would be the unfortunate thing,” Brown told reporters.
“We all have the same challenge. If you do happen to have more incidents, that’s the same problem we all have.
“And to me that’s part of the sport. It is dealing with challenges: not I just want to solve it by getting my chequebook out.”
Brown further added that one team – whom he did not name – wanted a whopping $5 million increase in the budget cap.
“One team in particular wanted a $5 million budget cap increase, which was just ridiculous, and had no rational facts behind it.
“Then, when you challenge those facts, they go, ‘but you need to anticipate things just in case’. So you just sit there and you go: ‘That is just nonsense.’”
For the McLaren CEO, the solution is simple. He believes the sport should ditch plans for the F1 sprint race in 2022. The reason? In 2023, the consensus for the format can be passed if only 6 teams approve it.
As of now, Brown believes there are 8 teams who will not agree to the current offer. But in 2023, only a majority vote is needed to implement long-term changes.
“I’d like us not to run into a situation where we’re voting for 2022, where we have to get back to eight votes, because we passed a milestone date,” he said.
“I think we should go ahead and lock in now 2023, with no budget cap raise at all, if you want to be hard about it.
“Then maybe either there can be a compromise made and we can raise it a little bit so we can go ahead and start with 2022, or we skip 2022.
“And then I think a couple of these teams should have to explain to the fans why there’s no sprint races.”
