What is the Sprint Qualifying format, How does it compare to other qualifying formats, what are its possible issues, possible positives and much more! Analysing it not in a sprint but in depth in no hurry!
Formula 1 announced the Sprint Qualifying format and it receive d some god and mostly not in favour reactions. So, is Sprint Qualifying actually an example of FIA and Formula 1 trying to fix something that ain’t broken and will it be a failure or are people overreacting? What is it, How does it compare to other qualifying formats, what are its possible issues, possible positives and much more!
FIRSTLY, IS THE FORMAT BROKEN?
Is the current format broken? It is the best Formula 1 has had till date and although it does not mean it is not broken but then what is broken in it? You could argue a couple of points.
The first being that slower teams do not get much chance to take advantage of track evolution and that the fast teams have an out and out advantage over the slower teams which leads to almost the same qualifying result after every session as it is out and out true pace and control that is being tested. Secondly, if track conditions change it gives the faster teams a greater advantage over the slower teams at times or does not allow the slower teams to take advantage of the conditions that might help them.
So, the two points would be that slower teams are disadvantaged and there is no mixed up grid that forms generally which makes the race a little less exciting.
SO, DOES THE NEW FORMAT ON TRIAL FIX IT?
At initial observation, no! But first, lets dive deeper and see one other tried and tested format in other series and some other observations.
NOTE: IT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE FORMULA 2 FORMAT
Formula 2 does not use the Sprint Race to decide the grid for the Feature Race, and it makes use of Reverse Grid for one of the Sprint Races which means the Sprint Race has nothing to do with the Main Feature Race and the Feature Race is all about building on the pace you show in the Qualifying. And to form a slightly mixed up grid, and give the slightly slower drivers (and even the teams to some extent) a better chance, there is the use of Reverse Grid for the Top 10 cars based on the Qualifying session for the Sprint Race.
It is the Reverse Grid that mixed things up.
THE FORMULA E QUALIFYING FORMAT
A very unique qualifying format was introduced by Formula E. One that has is bound to give a mixed up result every session and is very volatile. It is in its simplest form – Group Qualifying with each group consisting six members. Group 1, which consists of the Championship leaders goes first and the Group 4, which consists of the bottom 6 in the Championship going last taking advantage of track evolution, more understanding about the right line and the amount they need to push on the put lap or the preparation lap.
That is not one – sided towards the slower teams but gives them a slight advantage. and allows for a new mixed up grid every race which presents new strategies and new outcomes every race. This, if applied to Formula 1 will also bear good results as the same advantages that the teams get in Formula E will be received by the teams in Formula 1 and some teams like Alfa Romeo and Williams can really grab the opportunity well.
“It’s going to be a train, probably. Hopefully there will be some overtaking, but it most likely won’t be too exciting.”
— Lewis Hamilton on Sprint Qualifying
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WITH THE APPROVED SPRINT QUALIFYING FORMAT?
There are certain issues. The first being that it is not serving a purpose that it should. It is not a 2 lap dash to the finish line, and neither is it a game of strategy over 305 kilometers of racing. Plus no reverse grid, which although even if would be present, would then just serve the purpose of taking away from the real concept of racing and speed a bit probably for a series like F1 but still allows some excitement. It is just long enough for the best of the drivers and cars to make overtakes and to also keep defending.
It will either lead in a no change in the results of the qualifying, meaning all drivers maintain position or will benefit the faster cars for two main reasons. One being that all cars will most probably be on the same tyre compound until and unless one of them has very high tyre degradation or is faster for longer on different compound. And the other reason being that it is a short race. There is no such strategy to save fuel for a 300 lap, tyres need to be gone long on. No. It is plain simple racing and that is why speed is the only thing that matters. So, the two possibilities become that one, either all cars maintain almost the same position or the slower ones suffer.
The weekend format also becomes weird. Sprint Qualifying does become the session to determine starting grid positions for the main race, but to do well in the sprint race, you still need to have a good qualifying which will be just after one practice session. The sprint race will have another practice session before it but cars will already be in Parc Ferme. So, firstly teams might not have enough data to get the right setup and then they might quite a lot of data on a set setup, both not creating the best scenario when combined together.
THE NEUTRALS
There are some things that are on the fence. Such as the free tyre choice even in the main race due to the Sprint Qualifying decided the grid. It takes away the free tyre choice advantage the ones out of the Top 10 had, and it also takes away the strategizing needed to have your cars at the front, with the right tyres for the race and then accordingly having a race strategy. It although does mean that varying strategies might be visible in the sense that the top 10 cars, who are not bound by any tyre compound, might try different strategies and also that Q2 will happen on all softs, meaning all that will matter is the rest of the aerodynamic setup and speed, since everyone will be on the same tyre but this might also mean that some drivers lose out who previously took the gamble by getting into Q3 on softs ahead of those who wanted to stick to mediums.
And then there is one which can’t be clearly understood until it is seen. The way teams use the second practice session. It could either be used by the teams to understand the setup they have chosen better and understand the wing levels for the race, and tyre strategies. It could be a session which helps team not be surprised by the performance of their car later on. It might give them to to find those hundredths of a second at corners by getting the better line based on the qualifying performance of all 20 drivers on the grid. It could also be a session which does not see much running as such. When cars enter parc ferme, their major setups, engine settings and levels are all sealed and cannot be changed. The engine setting one will be crucial for the teams to understand and use wisely.
One final one being that any error in the Sprint Race will not be forgiven and the driver wouldn’t get enough time to make a splendid recovery and maybe get back or make as many places as thought before. It means that drivers will have to be precise but will it lead to some drivers making compromises? Only the outcome can tell.
“I think it’s fair to wait all three weekends and if there are any positives from it and people like it, then why not keep it in the future?”
— PIERRE GASLY ON SPRINT QUALIFYING
:focal(1430x481:1432x479)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/09/06/2881192-59331848-2560-1440.jpg)
THE CHAMPIONSHIP ANGLE
One weird angle is the championship angle with FIA and Formula 1 announcing that the top 3 drivers will get points for their podium finish. Three for the win, Two for second place, and One for third place. Each and every point is crucial, especially in a season that has been tight. This puts in much value in the podium positions even for those who are not fighting for the title of the Drivers’ World Champion in 2021. This is one that can make a significant difference or maybe will not make one. Everyone would want to finish as high as possible any way, since it gives them the advantage in the main race but can these championship points on offer see some more encouraged battles for the podium finish? Again, only the race outcome will tell.
In conclusion, it does not seem to hold much potential but ofcourse the three races that are there will be interesting to see and then analyse if Sprint Qualifying is a suitable option for Formula 1. Van the likes of Lando Norris, make it very interesting or will everyone be willing to stay calm, hold back and drive safely?
|A GREAT TEST OF A CRAZY IDEA AWAITS|
spielens 