FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2023
| Circuit stats | |
|---|---|
| First Grand Prix | 1950 |
| Number of laps | 44 |
| Lap record | 1:46.286 Valtteri Bottas (2018) |
| 2022 winner | Max Verstappen |
FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2023
| Circuit stats | |
|---|---|
| First Grand Prix | 1950 |
| Number of laps | 44 |
| Lap record | 1:46.286 Valtteri Bottas (2018) |
| 2022 winner | Max Verstappen |
Genuine question:
I’m a relatively new fan, I started following the sport in 2020. I love to watch and I’ve been following closely.
To be honest I don’t know how I feel about the sprint format. It’s exciting sure, but to me it takes some steam out of the actual GP. I think I prefer the standard weekend format.
If you’re a long time fan, how do you feel about the sprint format compared to the standard weekend format? Do you think it’s good for the sport?
Been watching since the 90s. I don’t like the sprint format.
To me the best thing about F1 is to see a qualification where all cars have been set up to their limit. That to me is the pinnacle of the F1 weekend. I feel now that there is just 1 practice session everything is rushed and compromises are being made.
The sprint race is usually a huge spoiler of what is going to happen in the race but in a bit more careful mode.
Been watching since 2014. The last race I attended in person was Silverstone in 2021 and what I will say is that a sprint weekend makes every day interesting when you’re actually at the circuit and spending all day there.
Watching it on TV feels very different though - it feels rushed, repetitive and it slightly dilutes the actual GP. During a standard weekend it feels like you’re steadily building to a massive event. I think having three sprint races in a season is fine but six of these things is annoying. I like that F1 is willing to trial new ideas but they’re throwing a bit too much shit at the wall to see what sticks at the moment. The calendar is too bloated as well, but that’s a whole 'nother issue.
Thank you for this insight. Since I have only watching races on TV I only had that experience and it totally matches your description.
I am glad to hear that it is actually good experience for people live on the track.
Not long time (started in 2018) but that’s also been 5 years now.
I personally don’t like it. Quali happens while I’m at work or so incredibly early in the morning that it’s unwatchable (hooray being on the west coast), which means I get spoiled a lot of the time before watching.
Saturday also loses all meaning and spoils the fun of Sunday since we get to see the most interesting part (the first few laps) and then it’s just a rehash on day 2. The sprint is too short for any strategy, and the only reason the last sprint was so good was the weather.
I’m also a doomer, so that doesn’t help either. I don’t think it’s good for the sport and will lead to fatigue. I watch (almost) every race live, even if it’s at 4am, but there’s not a chance I do that for sprints.
I’m pretty new too, and I don’t like it either. It’s nothing different from the main race. It’s just shorter. If they did something like flip the grid (or just the first 10 cars) that might make it more fun but as it is, I agree that it makes the main GP feel less special.