So, with F1 on Tuesday sanctioning plans for an overhaul of its sprint weekend format, teams will be looking at the revised rules to ensure they are ahead of the curve and ready to fight in Baku this weekend.

While the FIA ​​has already announced the outlines of a revised sprint weekend format – which includes a new sprint shootout qualifying session – the official release of the updated sporting regulations puts the expected complexities and quirks into perspective.

Here’s an overview of the most important aspects before experiencing the new format for the first time.

Sprint Shootout is actually a qualifying session

The shift to fully separate Saturday of the sprint weekend was driven by a desire to make that morning’s action a qualifying session rather than a practice session.

F1 has been considering how best to conduct qualifying, though, amid issues with the number of tire sets available and concerns about extending engine mileage if powerplants have to push harder for longer periods of time.

The most popular solution is a compressed Q1/Q2/Q3 qualifying format, with three sessions running 12, 10 and 8 minutes respectively (compared to the usual 18/15/12).

At first glance, the new format may seem like just a more intense version of our existing format, but the tire rules surrounding it will make it a different beast.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, leaving the garage

Photography: Mark Sutton/ motorsport pictures

The new rules state that for SQ1 and SQ2 (as the new sprint penalty qualifying has been marked), drivers can only use medium tyres, and only soft tires for the final session.

More importantly, however, the regulations specify that drivers can only use a “new” set of such norms per road segment.

This effectively meant that the drivers had no chance of getting a banker’s lap with an old car early on. Plus, if they mess up in qualifying, there’s no second chance to put on fresh rubber and make amends.

Plus: The winners and losers of F1’s new sprint format

While the race is long enough for drivers to run multiple trials, the reality of peak tire performance on the first lap means drivers know only one lap will determine qualifying times.

Parc ferme is still as strict as ever

While Saturday of the sprint weekend is now completely independent and has no impact on Sunday’s grid, that doesn’t mean teams and drivers are completely free. To keep costs down, F1 has adopted perc ferme rules for years so that settings are virtually locked from qualifying to race.

The rule will also continue into the new sprint weekend – with suspension settings tables and components frozen once the car leaves the pit lane during qualifying on Friday.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR23, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19 and Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60 in the pit lane

Photography: Glenn Dunbar/ motorsport pictures

The tweak to the rules is clear, with any changes to the setup ahead of the start of the sprint race meaning cars must start from the back of the grid for Saturday’s race and Sunday’s main event.

Driver swaps can be done after qualifying

Formula 1 has always operated under the rule that drivers can only compete in grand prix if they qualify (or at least set a rep time in practice).

That’s why reserve drivers often go home on Saturday nights, because once qualifying is over, they have no chance of being called up for a race – even if the team wants them to.
The new sprint weekend format brings a slight change of scene as qualifying is too early and sprints do not count towards the grid.

The revised rules now open the door for a replacement on sprint day if a driver is unable to continue after Friday’s qualifying session – and then, in theory, start from the back of the grid for the main race.

The rules say: “A driver change may be made at any time before the start of the sprint shootout for each race for which a sprint race is scheduled, or at any time before the start of qualifying practice for each race. If after the initial check If any proposed changes are agreed to by the director, no meeting will be scheduled. Additional changes due to force majeure will be considered separately.”

Stoffel Vandoorne, reserve driver, Aston Martin F1 Team, Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin F1 Team

Photography: Glenn Dunbar/ motorsport pictures

So it’s not out of the question that a driver who qualified on Friday but missed Saturday due to being unwell and had a substitute picked up before he was fit enough to return on Sunday and take his rightful grid position .

punishment hangover

One of the reasons behind F1’s push for Saturday to be an entirely separate race is to encourage drivers to work harder in the sprint races without fear of losing grid positions. But while drivers do face fewer negative repercussions for taking a risk on a Saturday, they won’t be able to get away with it if they act recklessly.

The rules clearly state that while the results of the sprint races will not determine the grid for the grand prix, any penalties earned in those races will count towards Sunday. This means that violations such as causing a collision during the sprint could trigger grid penalties for the race.

Article 37.4 of the revised F1 Sporting Regulations states: “Any such grid position penalty will be imposed during the race, unless a driving offense occurs during a sprint qualifying session, in which case such penalty will apply to the sprint race. starting position”

FIA leaves door open for emergency adjustments

While the reshuffle of the sprint weekend format has been vigorously debated by teams and F1 chiefs to ensure there are no unintended consequences, it cannot be ruled out that something has been overlooked.

FIA officials walk the track

Photography: Simon Galloway / motorsport pictures

New formatting changes are loaded into the F1 sporting rules, and if something isn’t quite right, the process of making adjustments can be lengthy. Even minor tweaks need to be approved by the F1 Commission and then by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.

The FIA ​​is well aware of this, so it has left the door open to allow itself to make emergency changes on specific race weekends without going through the traditional process.

Until August 1 – or after the Belgian Grand Prix, the third of six sprint weekends in 2023 – it allows itself ad hoc adjustments regarding driver penalties, weekend format, parc ferme rules and grid rules, if needed.

However, this can only be done with the agreement of the FIA, F1’s commercial rights holders and eight of the 10 teams.

Furthermore, it noted that such changes must address “unanticipated issues” in the new rules, must ensure sporting fairness, and may only apply to individual sports where problems arise.