From Baku onwards, the primary of six sprints this yr, groups have mentioned a format change by which the dash occasion and the grand prix every have their very own qualifying periods.
The brand new format, which is but to be finalised, has acquired common backing because it means the dash will no longer impact the main race and drivers don’t have any purpose to play it protected on Saturday.
However Purple Bull’s Verstappen says he is nonetheless “not a fan in any respect” as a result of sprints solely add to what’s already a really intense calendar for the groups.
“I am not a fan of it in any respect,” he stated in Melbourne.
“I feel when we will do all that sort of stuff, the weekend turns into much more intense and we’re already doing so many races.
“I feel that’s not the appropriate option to go at it. I perceive, after all, they need to have mainly each day thrilling, however then I feel possibly it is higher to only cut back the weekend, solely race on Saturday and Sunday and make these two days thrilling.
“As a result of we’re heading into seasons the place you might have at one level 24, 25 races – as a result of that is the place we will head into – and if we then begin including much more stuff, it is not value it for me anyway.
“I am not having fun with that.”
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Verstappen additionally stated sprints do not match the DNA of F1 and thinks the spectacle will routinely get higher as groups begin converging extra on efficiency.
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, 1st place, along with his medal on the rostrum
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“Even for those who change the format, I do not discover it is the DNA of System 1 to do these sorts of dash races,” he stated.
“F1 is about getting essentially the most out of it in qualifying after which having an incredible Sunday, good lengthy race distances.
“That is the DNA of the game and I do not perceive or I do not know why we should always change that as a result of I feel the motion has been good.
“And the way do you get much more motion is about getting the vehicles nearer, getting extra groups in a position to struggle for the win. And I feel naturally the present will likely be nice.
“If we have now six, seven groups already preventing for a win, that will likely be insane. Then you definately actually needn’t change something.”
Mercedes driver George Russell was initially in Verstappen’s camp, however he admitted he has warmed to the addition of sprints due to the additional leisure they supply for the followers.
“When the dash race was launched to start with [in 2021] I wasn’t a fan,” he stated. “After doing [six] of them, I’ve change into extra in favour.
“Having motion each single day, additionally for followers within the crowd… Simply watching vehicles circulating in apply, I do not suppose it is as thrilling as when you might have a qualifying session like this or a dash race.
“So I feel it is thrilling for us, for the groups, and for the followers.”
