Formula 1 announced today that there will be three sprint qualifying events in 2022. It had been hoped that they could have as many as six, however due to issues around funding, a compromise has been reached, allowing for three events to take place in 2022
SPRINT QUALIFYING
The sprint qualifying events that were introduced in 2021, saw qualifying moved to the Friday, which would determine the order for the Sprint “race” on the Saturday.
Sprint Qualifying was a shorter “race” of 100km (around 25 to 30 minutes) that would set the grid for the Grand Prix on the Sunday.
2022 will have three Sprint Qualifying at Austria, Imola and Brazil
CHANGES
In 2021, the top three drivers would receive 3,2,1 points respectively. For 2022 points will be awarded for the top eight with the winner gaining 8 points sliding down to 8th who will receive 1 point. This will hopefully give teams further down the field a reason to race during the sprint. another change has seen that the fastest driver on Friday Qualifying will be classed as taking pole position, this was not awarded in 2021 for Friday qualifying.
SPA WASHOUT NO MORE
Shortened races were also on the agenda today stemming from the controversial (non) race at Spa in 2021.
The “race” was completed with only 2 laps behind the safety car due to extreme rain that had halted any running throughout the day, this 2 lap run allowed half points to be awarded. The FIA and Formula 1 has moved to make sure that this situation does not happen again.
SHORTENED RACES
From now on, for points to be awarded a race has to have two laps completed that was not behind the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car, meaning that Spa of 2021 would have given no points.
Further to this change the points on offer will change depending on the length.
less than 25% (but with at least to racing laps) 6-4-3-2-1
25% – Less 50% 13-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1
50% to less than 75% 19-14-12-9-8-6-5-3-2-1
Full points are awarded on any race that completes 75 percent or more.