Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has called for Formula 1 to introduce a separate sprint world championship, to keep the sprint races away from the actual championship standings.
Sprint races were introduced in 2021 and have received a mixed reception, with some having praised the concept, whilst one driver has threatened to quit the sport over them.
That driver is reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, who’s been against the sprint format ever since it was first discussed.
Verstappen prefers the traditional format of three practice sessions, qualifying and then the race, something the sport are trying to change.
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At first, only sprint races took place; however, this season consists of six sprint events.
Most expect this number to further increase, especially as it is deemed by the sport as a way of increasing its entertainment.
Verstappen has threatened to quit F1 should sprint races become too regular.
Under the current sprint format, half points are awarded following a 100km race, which takes place on a Saturday afternoon.
Free Practice 1 takes place Friday morning, with the traditional qualifying on a Friday evening.
A separate sprint qualifying then takes place Saturday morning ahead of the sprint race that afternoon, whilst Sunday’s main race remains unchanged.
The points awarded in the sprint race do count towards both championships, something Croft isn’t a fan of.
He wants to see a separate championship purely for the sprint points devised, with any sprint sessions to then take place on a Friday of a Grand Prix weekend, followed by a more traditional Saturday and Sunday.
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“I think the Sprint concept is good, I like it, but I don’t like it being part of the world championship,” Croft told the Sky Sports F1 podcast. “I’d like two separate world championships, like cricket has T20, ODIs and Test match, and we’ll keep them separate.
“Have your Sprint day on a Friday maybe, rather than the Saturday. You could go into Sprint qualifying and then the Sprint, with maybe a 20-minute warm up in the morning – that’s your Friday.
“And then the cars are not in parc ferme for the rest of the weekend, because you then have your practice session on the Saturday morning, Saturday qualifying and then the race on Sunday. So you’re keeping the two very separate for different world championships.”