This analysis states more information concerning the change to the F1 sprint format. In Baku, the new
sprint format was introduced. The sprint format has been adapted to attract more young viewers.
During the race weekend, many people came out with their opinions. In this analysis, opinions of the
drivers, team principals and fans are further discussed.
‘Just scrap the whole thing’
First, many drivers expressed their views on the change. The vast majority of drivers seemed happy
with the new format as long as it remains at a select number of events, but there was one very vocal
opponent (Edmondson, 2023). Max Verstappen said: ‘Just scrap the whole thing. I think it is just
important to go back to what we had and make sure every team can fight for the win’ (Edmondson,
2023). Max says he prefers to stick to one qualifying: ‘I like to have one particular qualifying where
you put everything in it, and that was yesterday, which I of course enjoyed. Then you have to do it
again today and I’m like, my god, another qualifying? I just don’t really enjoy that’ (Edmondson,
2023). Max is obviously not happy with the change in the format.
ESPN’s article is objective and shows many quotes from the drivers. The tone of voice of the text is
mixed. A number of drivers talk positively about the change, while Max is clearly negative. The design
is supported by photos, including a photo after Max’s sprint race that shows he’s not happy.
Positive doubts
In addition, all team bosses also had something to say about the new format. There were also
different opinions among the team principals. First, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was not sure what to
think of the change: ‘I’m not sure if I’m a fan. But I think it is absolutely the right decision to try it out
and find out whether we like it or not’ (Cooper, 2023). Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team boss, thought the
sprint format went well: ‘I think the format so far is going well. Let’s see after Austria. We don’t want
to draw conclusions too early. I think the format is very dynamic and it is good for everybody’
(Cooper, 2023). McLaren’s Andrea Stella and Haas’ Guenther Steiner were both happy with the
format (Cooper, 2023).
However, there were also sounds that a specific thing needs to be changed. Due to the free practice
on Friday of only one hour, there is little time to work on the car. After this training, the parc fermé
rule takes effect immediately. Esteban Ocon had a problem with his car and had to start both races
from the pits. Not very surprising that Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer would like to see more freedom:
‘We had some issues on Friday which curtailed our running, we only had three laps for each driver
and then we went into parc fermé. Maybe we should look at it’ (Cooper, 2023). Christian Horner feels
the same way: ‘I think that parc fermé, being locked into a set-up just after an hour running on a
green circuit, we should look at maybe extending that. That would be my view, that perhaps you
should still be able to make changes on Friday night into Saturday’ (Cooper, 2023). Many team bosses
are therefore not yet convinced of the format, but continue to look positively at the next sprint race.
The Motorsport.com writer is objective and shows different opinions of the team bosses. The tone of
voice is also very different due to the many quotes. Andrea Stella and Guenther Steiner were both
positive, while Otmar Szafnauer was clearly not happy with the change. He clearly indicated that
there should be more freedom. The message is supported by photos of the team bosses.
Pointless
Lastly, Formula 1 fans have shown their discontent with the new sprint format. The format change
has left fans fuming and confused as they reacted on social media. One fan said: ‘Pointless, why
change a format that made sense to a format that risks teams wrecking their car before the actual
sprint format was introduced. The sprint format has been adapted to attract more young viewers.
During the race weekend, many people came out with their opinions. In this analysis, opinions of the
drivers, team principals and fans are further discussed.
‘Just scrap the whole thing’
First, many drivers expressed their views on the change. The vast majority of drivers seemed happy
with the new format as long as it remains at a select number of events, but there was one very vocal
opponent (Edmondson, 2023). Max Verstappen said: ‘Just scrap the whole thing. I think it is just
important to go back to what we had and make sure every team can fight for the win’ (Edmondson,
2023). Max says he prefers to stick to one qualifying: ‘I like to have one particular qualifying where
you put everything in it, and that was yesterday, which I of course enjoyed. Then you have to do it
again today and I’m like, my god, another qualifying? I just don’t really enjoy that’ (Edmondson,
2023). Max is obviously not happy with the change in the format.
ESPN’s article is objective and shows many quotes from the drivers. The tone of voice of the text is
mixed. A number of drivers talk positively about the change, while Max is clearly negative. The design
is supported by photos, including a photo after Max’s sprint race that shows he’s not happy.
Positive doubts
In addition, all team bosses also had something to say about the new format. There were also
different opinions among the team principals. First, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was not sure what to
think of the change: ‘I’m not sure if I’m a fan. But I think it is absolutely the right decision to try it out
and find out whether we like it or not’ (Cooper, 2023). Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team boss, thought the
sprint format went well: ‘I think the format so far is going well. Let’s see after Austria. We don’t want
to draw conclusions too early. I think the format is very dynamic and it is good for everybody’
(Cooper, 2023). McLaren’s Andrea Stella and Haas’ Guenther Steiner were both happy with the
format (Cooper, 2023).
However, there were also sounds that a specific thing needs to be changed. Due to the free practice
on Friday of only one hour, there is little time to work on the car. After this training, the parc fermé
rule takes effect immediately. Esteban Ocon had a problem with his car and had to start both races
from the pits. Not very surprising that Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer would like to see more freedom:
‘We had some issues on Friday which curtailed our running, we only had three laps for each driver
and then we went into parc fermé. Maybe we should look at it’ (Cooper, 2023). Christian Horner feels
the same way: ‘I think that parc fermé, being locked into a set-up just after an hour running on a
green circuit, we should look at maybe extending that. That would be my view, that perhaps you
should still be able to make changes on Friday night into Saturday’ (Cooper, 2023). Many team bosses
are therefore not yet convinced of the format, but continue to look positively at the next sprint race.
The Motorsport.com writer is objective and shows different opinions of the team bosses. The tone of
voice is also very different due to the many quotes. Andrea Stella and Guenther Steiner were both
positive, while Otmar Szafnauer was clearly not happy with the change. He clearly indicated that
there should be more freedom. The message is supported by photos of the team bosses.
Pointless
Lastly, Formula 1 fans have shown their discontent with the new sprint format. The format change
has left fans fuming and confused as they reacted on social media. One fan said: ‘Pointless, why
change a format that made sense to a format that risks teams wrecking their car before the actual
