The Formula 1 authorities have implemented substantial changes to the sprint format, providing relief from the demanding schedule for the upcoming 2024 season.
Despite Max Verstappen’s overwhelming success in 19 out of the 22 races held in the previous season, he has expressed satisfaction with the revamped sprint format, emphasizing its logical and appealing features.
Max Verstappen in support of new 2024 F1 rule change
Three-time World Champion Max Verstappen has himself stated that Formula 1’s changes to its sprint format for the 2024 season are “logical.” The Dutchman had previously expressed severe, consistent criticism towards the sprint format, which initially started in the 2021 season.
While still not the biggest fan of the format, Max Verstappen at least sees "more logic" in how #F1 Sprint weekends will be structured this year.https://t.co/GirMS6ZHUp
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) February 18, 2024
However, the new changes in the rules have satisfied the leading Red Bull driver, with his main focus now only on maintaining his dominance. According to the new rules, the sprint qualifying session will move to the second session on Friday before race weekends, along with the sprint race on Saturday. Following the qualifying session, drivers will then proceed to be set for the main race scheduled for Sunday, before the Grand Prix.
Speaking to the media, Verstappen said, “I think it’s a bit more logical, I would say, with how the format is formed. For me, I don’t get more excited by winning a sprint or fighting for these kinds of races. But at least a bit more logical, I would say.”
One more crucial change is that the parc fermé will be extended further towards the end of the weekend and will make sure that the teams are able to set up adjustments as the weekend unfolds. This rule was introduced because one of the most common complaints was the restriction on making certain changes as the parc fermé used to close after FP1.
Max Verstappen once criticised F1’s 2026 rule change
The reigning World Champion had also been skeptical about the F1’s 2026 rule changes, apart from the sprint race format at last season’s Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen claimed that the cars might need a counter-intuitive driving style, fairly identical to the period of blow diffusers from 2009-2013, as Red Bull achieved peak success with Sebastian Vettel clinching four consecutive titles.
Max Verstappen slams proposed 2026 F1 rule changes, calls cars 'terrible' to drive https://t.co/lvOtsZajrb @f1 @fia
— Sue (@Sue99126139) July 4, 2023
He said, “It’s just not right, I think, that you have to drive the car like that. And also, the way under braking the engine just almost stays flat out, I think it will just create [a] very weird atmosphere—it’s a bit like with the blown diffusers, just being flat out almost.”
Additionally, with innovations like active aerodynamics, he has pledged competitors to think for the best for the sport instead of their separate individual needs.
What are your opinions on the new sprint format changes? Let us know in the comment section below.
