New Rules, Less Survivors? — 2023 Formula One First Sprint Race (Preview)
It’s race week and heading to Baku, a high-speed street circuit with demanding curves where any slight mistake may end the drivers' race, especially turn 8, near the double city gates, where many drivers have met the barriers over the years and finished their grand prix there.
This year, Baku will receive the first sprint weekend of the year. This format splits the opinions of the fans, and in a way to make them more interesting, new rules will be applied this year.
You might be wondering, what are these changes, and what kind of impact will they have?
New Sprint Format
Before discussing the new changes, it is important to explain what a sprint weekend is. During the season, there are a few events where the drivers have one less free practice session and one extra, shorter race. The winner of this race receives 8 points, and the last driver to receive points is the 8th to cross the finish line, receiving only 1 point.
This year, the sprint races will occur in Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, the USA, and Brazil.
In previous years, the qualifying position defined on Fridays would determine the starting grid for the sprint race, and the result of this would determine the starting…
