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End of the day
Unfortunately, no further announcement regarding the sprint format for the weekend was made during the Formula 1 live ticker, but I’m sure something will still happen!
So keep an eye on our page. We’ll talk about it tomorrow if there’s anything to discuss, agreed?
Kevin Scheuren thanks you for your attention. See you tomorrow!
Time Travel
1993, I was just two years old. Formula 1 was still a bit further away for me, but the cars weren’t even that ugly.
Which one was your favorite? Click through our new photo gallery!
Photo Gallery: The Formula 1 Cars of the 1993 Season
Tragic Season Outcomes
Imagine you’re leading the Formula 1 World Championship after three races and still don’t become World Champion.
Unfortunately, it’s already happened. Find out who in the latest video on our YouTube channel:
Championship leader after 3 races and no World Champion!
Allison comments
So, back to Mercedes.
James Allison was a guest on the Formula 1 podcast “F1 Nation” and talked a bit about the change involving Mike Elliott and himself. He soberly stated: “We simply made a sober assessment of who among us is best suited for what. And we believe: by swapping our roles, we strengthen the team. Mike and I are convinced: we can now do our best to support this process.”
My colleague Stefan Ehlen has summarized more about the podcast interview with James Allison for you. But you can also just listen in yourself!
Surprise from Mercedes in Baku?
Ralf Schumacher also spoke about the sporting perspective in Baku on Sky Germany’s “F1 Update”.
The six-time Grand Prix winner rates Red Bull as the top favorite, but a surprise from Mercedes could follow.
Schumacher says: “The Mercedes, with its recharging capability and the system performance it can deliver, can once again be a surprise there. I do believe that Mercedes has understood what’s going on, where the journey is heading and where it needs to go, and then it’s certainly possible that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell can really shine there again.”
Schumacher speaks plainly
Ralf Schumacher is not one to mince words, that’s well known by now. As a co-commentator for Sky Germany and an expert for Formel1.de, many appreciate his direct style.
In the F1 Update before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Schumacher once again made a strong statement in conversation with presenter Andi Lengenfelder. This time it was about World Champion Max Verstappen. He recently complained that there are too many races and that the number of sprints doesn’t suit him. This doesn’t align with how he experiences Formula 1, and he even left his own future open.
Schumacher only has a tired smile for Max Verstappen’s expression of displeasure and “threat” that he will leave if there are too many changes, because “Formula 1 has always shown that it is bigger than any individual, and now it is more successful than ever. So Max Verstappen should either pack his bags and leave or accept it as it is.”
Scream for me
Well, will we hear a Formula 1 commentator with as much emotion this weekend when Formula 1 is in Baku as we did with Mark Webber in 2021?
Back then, the Australian couldn’t suppress his high-pitched scream when Lewis Hamilton locked up. In retrospect, it was a legendary scene of the season in many ways. Not only because of Webber’s scream, but also because Hamilton might have thrown away the championship himself here.
Preview of Baku
If you need something for your ears, I recommend the Formula 1 podcast “Starting Grid”.
In the current episode, presenter Sophie Affeldt, my colleague Ruben Zimmermann, and I looked ahead to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Of course, you’ll also hear our assessments of the rumored weekend format, but the sprint in general was also discussed. Other topics in the episode include Max Verstappen’s expected masterclass in the street canyons of Baku, who could place behind him, why the midfield holds the greatest element of excitement, and why Alfa Romeo is in a vacuum!
Read more Formula 1 Live Ticker: IndyCar drivers in Formula 1?
Your suggestions for the format
I asked earlier for your ideas and suggestions for the weekend format on sprint weekends, and you were diligent, thank you very much!
Marcel wrote me his ideal weekend plan for Formula 1, and he arranges Saturday quite differently:
“Friday
Free Practice
Qualification for the Sprint
Saturday
Sprint Race
Qualification for Sunday’s Race
Sunday
Formula 1 Main Race
I imagine this scenario to be incredibly invigorating, but also challenging.”
That’s true, especially the sprint race on Saturday morning “from a cold start” would definitely be something!
—
Our reader Ingo has a completely different, almost revolutionary idea, wishing for more equality of opportunity:
“You know what would be really great? If sprint qualifying and sprint races all used identical F2 cars. The FIA/FOM provides the cars (no panic from team bosses about the budget cap) and the drivers decide, based on skill and talent, how they handle the ‘box’.
Standardized cars and tires. A single qualifying session of about 30 to 40 minutes could also be enough, and the best time decides the starting grid.”
This is a long-cherished wish of many fans, to have standardized cars in Formula 1 so that one can recognize which driver is the best on the track. However, since the sprint also involves points, the idea is naturally hardly feasible, yet I cannot deny it a certain appeal.
Thank you for your feedback and the discussion about it!
Who is the F1 Commission?
Who exactly decides about Formula 1?
For far-reaching decisions such as changing the weekend format, the Formula 1 Commission is convened. However, it’s not that easy to find out who all sits on this commission.
It is clear that Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is involved, as is Nikolas Tombazis, who is responsible for single-seater series at the FIA. Then there will be team representatives, and in the past also race promoters from Europe and overseas, Mario Isola from Pirelli, a representative of the engine manufacturers, and Formula 1 sponsors.
Nicely enough, the FIA provides us with all possible commission lists on its website, but of course, the one for Formula 1 is missing. Somehow, this kind of thing annoys me about the whole business, to be honest. Why can’t they just say who is on it or publish the list for Formula 1? It wouldn’t hurt anyone. Annoying!
So let’s wait and see what the gentlemen decide. I’m really curious!
Sprint Qualifying on Saturday?
The big question remains: what could the qualification for the sprint on Saturday look like?
Many fans and observers agree that it shouldn’t be a “normal” qualification with Q1 (18 minutes, 20 drivers), Q2 (15 minutes, 15 drivers), and Q3 (12 minutes, 10 drivers). That wouldn’t fit the sprint format.
So what could be done instead?
There would certainly be the option of a single-lap shootout. However, tire supplier Pirelli has already expressed minor concerns. While they are open to this idea, the current tire compounds probably don’t lend themselves to a single-lap shootout. The main problem is that the temperature cannot be brought into the tires on an out-lap, and they would therefore be too cold in some cases. Especially in Baku, one has to weigh chance against risk, because too many red flags due to a driver crashing into the wall because of cold tires are also not super sexy.
A duel mode like in Formula E, but with full track utilization, would also be possible and would somehow fit the video game format of the sprint, in my opinion. Essentially, drivers could be drawn against each other to race for their positions. But this is also a rather unlikely model for sprint qualification.
It will probably come down to Q1, Q2, and Q3, but with reduced time. This is the common qualification format in Formula 1, the teams and drivers are used to it, and Pirelli can also ensure that the tires cooperate and we get to see an interesting qualifying. To emphasize the sprint character, in my opinion, so much time should be taken from each clock that one can essentially drive two to three fewer laps, which could be quite problematic and challenging for some.
What would you wish for? Please let me know via Twitter, Instagram, or our contact form.
I would be very interested in your feedback.
What could the new format look like?
It’s clear that this practice session on Saturday should go. Nobody wants to see cars driving aimlessly around the track. At the same time, ways are also sought to enhance the qualification that decides Sunday’s pole position and to create an even clearer distinction between the sprint and the main race.
Not an easy task.
The weekend schedule could therefore look like this very soon:
Friday
Free Practice
Qualification for Sunday’s Race
Saturday
Qualification for the Sprint
Sprint Race
Sunday
Formula 1 Main Race
Would you like this one?
F1 Commission meets
Today could be an important day.
The Formula 1 Commission is meeting to decide on the weekend format to be used on a sprint weekend. Currently, there is a free practice session on Friday, followed by a qualifying session on the same day. Although this qualifying counts towards pole position statistics, it determines the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint.
However, before the sprint on Saturday, there is another free practice session. The problem is that this practice is completely unnecessary, as parc fermé rules already apply. In the sprint, not only are important points contested, but also the starting grid for Sunday’s main race.
This could change in the course of today. We will keep you updated. You will find out directly here if there is a decision and a change to the weekend format!
Start to Tuesday
Morning, dear Formula 1 fans,
the lights for Tuesday’s Formula 1 live ticker are out and Kevin Scheuren warmly welcomes you.
For questions, suggestions, or complaints, you can use our contact form. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and for questions, our Twitter hashtag #FragMST is available. Let’s go!
You can read yesterday’s ticker again here!
Read more Formula 1 Live Ticker: Does Pierre Gasly get a raw deal?
