Red Bull Team Principal Looks To Fans For Sprint Format improvement Suggestions

Monday, 04 December 2023 at 10:00

Updated at Monday, 04 December 2023 at 14:55

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner recently discussed the needed sprint weekend format changes going into the 2024 season.

In 2023, we have seen six sprint races during race weekends in Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, Austin, and Sao Paulo. Some sprint races, like in Qatar, were packed with action, while others, like in Austin, received a lot of criticism for not providing any show.

Notably, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner called for a format change right after the Austin sprint race. He also said more recently:

"This Sprint concept is a new concept that's been introduced, and in some areas, it's very popular, and with some traditionalists, it's very unpopular."

Read also

Verstappen Will Make Mistakes When Put Under Pressure Ferrari Team Principal Asserts

Driver feedback is crucial in developing the Sprint weekend format, and multiple have been critical, mainly the current World Champion Max Verstappen.

On the other hand, it is also fans whose opinion matters as they are the ones watching and generating revenue for the sport so it can grow. Horner continued:

"Whatever it evolves to needs to be consistent for a long period of time, so I think the necessary research – and I think the fan feedback is going to play a crucial role in this, in terms of what is it actually that the audience want?"

A common opinion among fans and drivers who disapprove of the format is that it just reveals what will happen in the first third of the race on Sunday, which has been partially true.

There are possible solutions to problems like this (reversed grid being one of them), but as the team principal says, whether the fans want to see more racing and in what form is important.

"Do they actually enjoy the Sprint format as it is? Or do they want to see a bit more racing if we're going to do a Sprint race?

McLaren 2023 season rookie Oscar Piastri won his first race during the Sprint in Qatar. However, the celebrations and satisfaction were not quite the same as if he won the Grand Prix. Horner added:

"If we're going to do that, then how do we award the points? How do we incentivise drivers and teams? So there are many topics attached to it. But the most important fundamental thing is, what do the fans want?"