F1: WMSC approves Six F1 sprint races for 2023 onward

Plans have been approved for additional Sprint sessions to be staged during the 2023 Formula 1 season and beyond, with the number of events that will feature the format increasing from three to six.

The venues for the six sprint events are set to be confirmed at a later date.

Sprint sessions were introduced to F1 in 2021 and proved a popular addition to the usual weekend format, with qualifying shifting to Friday and an extra 100km race slotting into Saturday’s schedule to set the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

On Tuesday, the World Motor Sport Council rubber-stamped the move to six Sprint events, with confirmation of the venues at which they will take place to follow in due course.

Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos played host to the first trio of Sprint events in 2021, with Imola, the Red Bull Ring and Interlagos selected for the 2022 campaign.

“I am pleased that we can confirm six Sprints will be part of the Championship from 2023 onwards, building on the success of the new format introduced for the first time in 2021,” said Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“The Sprint provides action across three days with the drivers all fighting for something right from the start on Friday through to the main event on Sunday, adding more drama and excitement to the weekend.

“The feedback from the fans, teams, promoters, and partners has been very positive and the format is adding a new dimension to Formula 1, and we all want to ensure its success in the future.”

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “The confirmation that six race weekends featuring Sprint will take place from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship season onwards is another example of the continued growth and prosperity at the highest level of motor sport.

“Thanks to close collaboration with Stefano Domenicali and our colleagues at FOM, we concluded a thorough analysis on the impact of additional Sprint sessions and have adjusted relevant parameters of our work to ensure that they continue to be regulated at the very highest level.

“Sprint sessions provide an exciting dynamic to the race weekend format and have proven to be popular over the past two seasons – I am sure that this positive trend will continue and am pleased that the World Motor Sport Council has today given its approval for them to go ahead.”