Sprint qualifying explained: a look at the latest Formula 1 innovation

The 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be a historic event for a number of reasons. For one, it will be the first Formula 1 race since the COVID-19 pandemic began to feature a full capacity crowd. But it will also be the first race to feature sprint qualifying. The new method of qualifying is not meant to replace the current format. However, it will be used sparingly in certain races on the calendar. The 2021 calendar will see it be used thrice, with Silverstone being the venue of its debut. As of now, it will only be used on occasion.

“I’m not sure this format would be as successful at Monaco,” said F1 Managing Director, Motorsports, Ross Brawn.

“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.”

But how exactly does sprint qualifying work? Let us take a look at the basic rules of this new format.

Sprint qualifying explained

Sprint qualifying is essentially a shortened race. The length of the race in this case is 100 KM, which is about a third of a standard F1 race that goes around the 300 KM mark.

What’s more, if the race lasts more than 60 minutes it will be timed out. In case the session is red flagged, the upper limit is increased to 90 minutes.

However there are some differences between this qualifying and a race. Sprint qualifying will see each team get to choose which set of tyres they want to run on.

There will also be no pit stops, meaning teams can pick one set of tyres which they will use for the duration of an hour out on the track.

What’s more, there will be world championship points up for grabs – although again, it differs from standard race rules. The winner of the sprint will get three points, with second and third place getting 2 and 1 points, respectively.

There will also be no bonus point for the fastest lap of the race.

To accomodate the new format, changes will be made to the traditional race weekend format too. Normally, there will be two free practices on Friday with a third practice on Saturday before qualifying.

Now there will be two free practices and a full qualifying to set the grid positions for the sprint. The first practice will be held on Friday and will be followed by standard qualifying.

Then, Saturday will see a second free practice before the sprint race itself. There is also a tyre rule in place for Friday qualifying – drivers will only be allowed to drive on softs, before being allowed a choice for the sprint.