Domenicali seeking to confirm Sprint Race plan by Imola

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali says the sport is working on finalizing the details of this season's sprint race trial, with confirmation of the plan expected by next week's round at Imola.

Earlier this year, Domenicali tabled the idea of experimenting with qualifying sprint races held on Saturday afternoon, and the concept was well-received by teams who agreed in principle to a three-race trial.

However, the final details of the plan involving logistics, cost and the financial compensation that would be awarded to teams have yet to be agreed.

Red Bull's Christian Horner said a sprint race trial would require lifting F1's mandatory $145m cost cap for the sport's big teams which are chasing incremental savings this year to meet the budget cap threshold, a request shared by Mercedes' Toto Wolff.

• Read also: Red Bull says Sprint Race trial requires cost cap 'accomodation'

Domenicali says discussions with teams have now reached their final stage.

"We are finalizing the final details and the goal is to have it wrapped up by Imola," said the Italian, speaking to Rai Radio 1.

"What we would like to try is to have a more intense weekend where we have an hour of practice and qualifying on Friday that would decide the grid for the sprint race, which would then decide the grid for the race on Sunday.

"This would generate more interest which is something that was asked by organizers and TV rights holders."

Although the Canadian GP at Montreal was initially earmarked as the first venue to trial the sprint race format, Domenicali confirmed the idea would be first rolled out at the British GP at Silverstone in mid-July.

Monza and Interlagos which will host races later this year are expected to be designated as the venues of choice forth the remaining two sprint race trials.

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