FIA approves six F1 Sprint races for 2023

Formula 1 will increase the number of sprint races to six events in 2023, a raise approved by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday.

Last year, F1 trialed the Saturday afternoon sprint event that replaced qualifying and determined the grid for race day.

Positive feedback overall encouraged the sport to repeat the experience this season, albeit with a few tweaks like a different points-scoring format that includes the top-eight contenders rather than just the top-three.

Earlier this year, Imola and Spielberg hosted the first two 100-km sprints, while the final Saturday mad dash will take place at the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in November.

But next season, F1's record 24-race calendar will feature six Sprint events, at venues that will be announced by F1 "in due course".

• Read also: Domenicali still keeping reverse grids on the back burner

"I am pleased that we can confirm six Sprints will be part of the Championship from 2023 onwards, building on the success of the new format introduced for the first time in 2021," said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

"The Sprint provides action across three days with the drivers all fighting for something right from the start on Friday through to the main event on Sunday, adding more drama and excitement to the weekend.

"The feedback from the fans, teams, promoters, and partners has been very positive and the format is adding a new dimension to Formula 1, and we all want to ensure its success in the future."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: "The confirmation that six race weekends featuring Sprint will take place from the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season onwards is another example of the continued growth and prosperity at the highest level of motorsport.

"Thanks to close collaboration with Stefano Domenicali and our colleagues at FOM, we concluded a thorough analysis on the impact of additional Sprint sessions and have adjusted relevant parameters of our work to ensure that they continue to be regulated at the very highest level.

"Sprint sessions provide an exciting dynamic to the race weekend format and have proven to be popular over the past two seasons – I am sure that this positive trend will continue and am pleased that the World Motor Sport Council has today given its approval for them to go ahead."

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