After barely four weeks without Formula 1, the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan is on the program for Max Verstappen and Nyck de Vries next weekend. For the premier class of motorsport, it will be the first time that it will be driven under the new sprint format.
This season, six race weekends also include a sprint race over 100 kilometers. So the first will be in Baku next weekend. The others are in Austria, Belgium, Qatar, the United States (Austin) and Brazil.
In recent years, the result of the sprint race on Saturday determined the starting order for Sunday’s race. From now on (in race weekends with a sprint race) there will be two separate qualifications; on the Friday afternoon already before the race on Sunday and on the Saturday before the sprint race of the same day. In that sprint race, the first eight drivers receive points for the World Championship standings.
The adjustments in the sprint format ensure that Saturday’s first session is no longer a second free practice session, but an extra qualification. The teams voted unanimously for this change, but not all drivers are strongly in favor of it. World champion Max Verstappen was one of the drivers who was not keen on it.
Note: these are the Dutch times! (in Baku it is two hours later)
Friday April 28
• 11.30 am – 12.30 pm: First free practice
• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Qualifying (for Sunday’s race)
Saturday April 29:
• 11.30 am – 12.30 pm: Sprint Shootout
• 3.30 pm: Sprint race
Sunday April 30:
• Race: 1 pm
View the 2023 Formula 1 calendar here
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