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Norris: Sprint format changes 'not about the drivers'

McLaren driver Lando Norris says that he doesn't have any strong opinions either way about the new Sprint format that was introduced last week for the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit.

The new format sees Sprint qualifying move to Friday afternoon, followed by the Sprint race itself on Saturday after which the cars are released from parc ferme before qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix.

It addresses the problem os last year's format where teams were unable to make set-up changes of any kind from Friday afternoon, giving them just a single one-hour practice session to gather data on which to make their decisions.

Despite winning Sprint pole in Shanghai, Norris insists that he's ambivalent about the changes, explaining that they hadn't been made to help the teams and drivers but to make it more entertaining for the fans in the grandstands.

"I just get in and drive the car, I'm not too fussed," he told media last week when asked whether the new format gave the weekend a 'better flow' overall.

Read also: Domenicali wants more sprints after Shanghai success

"I don't know if it's better for the team, for the engineers and mechanics," he shrugged. "I'm not sure, so I don't really have an opinion.

"It’s not to make us any happier while driving, or have more fun, so I don't think it's a question for us."

"When I get told to get in the car, I get in the car," he added. "Doesn't make any difference to me."

"I still prefer a normal race weekend, in my opinion," he declared. "[But] if it's good to watch, if it's good for you guys, then that's why we do it.

"I get it: it sells better and better numbers on TV. But it's also more stress on the mechanics and everything," he warned. "You have to deal with it but let's not think we now need 12 of those because it will take its toll on people.

"It's [not] too bad for us as drivers. I don't think we can be the ones to complain at all," the McLaren driver admitted. "It's the hundreds of mechanics and engineers that have to travel so much.

"It's not healthy for them, it's not sustainable," he added. "People should look out more for the rest of the team."

Norris will have a second chance to evaluate the new Sprint format from the cockpit next week in the Miami Grand Prix.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.