If a driver dominates a sprint weekend, then that should also be appreciated. At least that’s what Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali wants. He has in mind “something along the lines of the Grand Slam”.
In an interview with “Motorsport.com” Italy, Domenicali explains that he wants to make a corresponding proposal to the Formula 1 Commission at the upcoming meeting on the sidelines of the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of July.
His approach: “If a driver at a [Sprint-] If he achieved both pole positions at the weekend and also wins both races, then he should be given a special award for that. With something that honors sporting achievement.”
Grand Slam? Formula 1 statistics already know that
Under the current sprint format of the 2023 season, only Max Verstappen would have enjoyed this special honor so far: He won all the relevant units at the Austrian Grand Prix and would have fulfilled the requirements for Domenicali’s “Grand Slam”.
Incidentally, the name is misleading: In Formula 1 statistics, it actually stands for pole position, victory, fastest race lap and all the lead laps by a driver on a weekend.
With eight of these “Grand Slams”, the two-time world champion Jim Clark is the record holder ahead of Lewis Hamilton (6), Alberto Ascari (5) and Michael Schumacher (5). Verstappen has three “Grand Slams”.
It is still unclear whether Domenicali’s proposal will be implemented under the same name and, if so, how it will be implemented. An additional non-cash prize or trophy would be conceivable, for example. However, it is considered unlikely that bonus points will be distributed.
Domenicali wants to stick to six sprints
The approach of an additional award is not new: in 2022, Formula 1 had already added another award to the award ceremony after a Grand Prix. Since the final race in Abu Dhabi, every Grand Prix winner has received a medal in addition to the winner’s trophy, which remains in his personal possession – unlike the winner’s trophy, which a driver often has to cede to his team due to his contract.
So do we see more special honors in the future? That is possible in 2024 on up to six weekends with a sprint format. According to Domenicali, the number of sprint races will not increase compared to the current season. He wants to announce the respective venues “in September”.
More changes to sprint format for 2024?
Until then, Domenicali and Co. still have to make various fine adjustments to the sprint format. Fernando Alonso, for example, recently complained about the tire allocation under this format. Criticism was also voiced about the parc ferme procedure and the weekend schedule as a whole.
The latter could be changed again for 2024: There is a proposal with the sprint shootout on Friday, the sprint race on Saturday morning, qualifying on Saturday afternoon and the Grand Prix on Sunday.
In any case, Formula 1 does not shy away from further adjustments and builds on the understanding of its fans. The potential effects have been “analyzed,” says Domenicali. He sees a “risk” “more among the loyal viewers who have their own habits”. The “new fans” of Formula 1 are “far more open to changes”.
But Domenicali emphasizes: “There is no big news so far. We want to stabilize the six weekends with sprint races and be considerate of the long-standing Formula 1 fans.”