Every third race weekend, the starting grid for the Grand Prix is to be extended for a mini race on Saturday.
Formula 1 wants to focus even more on sprint races in the coming year. Managing director Stefano Domenicali explained in an interview with Sky Sports that “in more or less a third of the races” the format should be retained, which had already been tried this year at Silverstone and Monza.
With 23 races planned, that would mean in 2022 that the starting grid for the main race on Sunday would be determined in a qualifying race on Saturday on at least seven Grand Prix weekends. This year this is also planned for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.
“The vast majority of the comments we got have been super positive,” said Demonicali. The promoters are super happy because there is now an important innovation on Friday and Saturday. The 56-year-old Italian addressed the knockout elimination, which was brought forward to Friday, in which the starting order for the sprint race is determined. “All in all, it's been an incredible success,” said Domenicali.
The record season should start in mid-March 2022 and last until mid-November, as Domenicali confirmed. It ends a month earlier than this year. There is speculation with the start in Bahrain and another final in Abu Dhabi. The earlier end of the season is mainly necessary because of the soccer World Cup in Qatar, which in turn should begin on November 21, 2022.
