Baku GP Weekend Format

Formula 1 Teams Reach Agreement on New Baku Weekend Format

The Baku GP weekend format has been modified by the Formula 1 teams after discussions on changes to the Sprint race weekends. The new format for the first Sprint race weekend of the season in Baku will see two qualifying sessions instead of the current Sprint weekend format. The changes aim to eliminate the otherwise pointless FP2 session on Saturday morning, where teams are restricted in what they can do to the cars, owing to the parc fermé conditions from Friday afternoon’s qualifying.

Under the new proposal, Saturday morning’s free practice two sessions would be replaced by a new qualifying session for the Sprint, with the existing qualifying session remaining in place for the grand prix. If the plan goes through, qualifying for the Sprint race will take place on Saturday, adhering to the same style as normal qualifying, with Q1, Q2, and Q3, although the sessions may be somewhat shorter than qualifying on Friday.

PROPOSED BAKU GP WEEKEND FORMAT

Friday – Free Practice 1 and Qualifying (Main Race)
Saturday – Qualifying (Sprint Race) and Sprint Race
Sunday – Race

Formula 1 Teams Modify Baku Weekend Format with Two Qualifying Sessions

Formula One team bosses met together before the Australian Grand Prix to discuss potential schedule alterations. Among other things, the idea of trialling a different qualifying format for the Sprint race, where all drivers get one flying lap, was discussed, but the idea was taken off the table. F1 journalist Dieter Rencken says that there are further hurdles if the plans are to be implemented at such short notice, with the motorsport federation having to agree to the ideas in the short term.

The new proposed Sprint race weekend format will have a schedule with First free practice and Grand Prix Qualifying on Friday, Sprint Race Qualifying and Sprint Race on Saturday, and Grand Prix on Sunday. The idea is yet to be approved through a vote by the F1 Commission, where the ten F1 teams, the FIA, and the F1 bosses all have a say. The World Motor Sport Council, the highest FIA body, will also have to give its blessing to the changes before the new format can be implemented.

We will look to keep you updated as and when we have more information on how this will affect the upcoming race weekend.