F1 Confirm Six Sprint Races For 2023 Season – Sport Grill

F1 has confirmed six Sprint Races for 2023 season, with only Austria and Sao Paulo keeping their bonus races from the 2022 Sprint selection.

The Sprint Race format was introduced in 2021 season at just three circuits – Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos, with only Interlagos having retained its bonus race for this season whilst Imola and Austria were handed the other two Sprint Races.

F1 officials have now deemed the Sprint Race format a solid success with expansion to six rounds for next season, as Austria and Interlagos kept their Sprint Race weekend format.

Both venues will now be joined by four new venues in running the Sprint Race weekend format, beginning with Baku, which will host Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 28-29 April 2023.

Belgium will host the third Sprint Race on 29 July as part of the Belgian GP weekend which marks the final round before F1’s summer break.

Qatar and USA will then host a Sprint Race across weekends of 6-8 and 20-22 October respectively, before the final Sprint takes place at Interlagos, Brazil, on weekend of 3-5 November.

F1 confirmed that this selection was decided following research to determine ‘suitable’ circuits to host the Sprint Race weekend format, with factors like ‘overtaking opportunities, close racing and high-speed sections’ all considered as part of the decision-making process.

F1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali added that teams had “… seen a hugely positive reaction to the F1 Sprint events during the first two years of its running,” and are excited to expand the format to six rounds next season.

FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem added that there had been “strong collaboration between the FIA and FOM,” in finalising the six Sprint Race venues with approval of World Motor Sport Council.