Steiner wants second qualifying session on F1 Sprint weekends

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Haas team boss Guenther Steiner would like to see a second qualifying session added to F1's Sprint race weekends.

Friday's schedule on Sprint weekends currently features a qualifying session that sets the grid for the Saturday afternoon 30-minute race, with the result of the latter defining the grid positions for Sunday's Grand Prix.

But Steiner believes that F1's main race and its Sprint event should each have their own qualifying sessions.

"This year in Austria we scored points in both the Sprint and in the main race so for sure, I liked that," the Haas boss explained.

"It’s a race like any other but it’s shorter and with eight drivers rather than 10 scoring points. I’m in favour of more Sprints as it makes the overall race weekend interesting by having qualifying on Friday.

Read also: Verstappen no fan of F1's sprint event: 'That's not really a race'

"What I’d like even more is having qualifying for the Sprint on Friday and qualifying for the main race on Saturday morning, as the free practice currently isn’t very meaningful for anyone.

"Then on Saturday afternoon you have the Sprint, followed by the main event on Sunday.

This week's penultimate round of the 2022 F1 world championship that will take place at Interlagos will feature the third and final Sprint event of the year.

Next season, teams will tackle six Sprint race weekends at yet to be determined venues.

Since last season when it was first introduced the format has garnered mixed reactions from drivers.

But Kevin Magnussen who experienced the concept for the first time this year appreciates the high-pressure environment the Sprints induce on race weekends.

"I think we’ve done well, we’ve scored points at every sprint so far and I actually quite like those weekends where you get into serious business, quickly," he said.

"Three practice sessions are actually a lot, and these weekends show that you can get ready for qualifying with one practice.

"It’s the same for everyone, you deal with it, and it becomes normal. I think six next year is good but of course the workload for the team in the garage during these weekends is very high.

"From a driving perspective, it’s very cool."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.