Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed which side he is taking in the debate over practice sessions, describing them as “boring”
“I personally would like to see the sprint qualifying like they are planning to do for Baku,” Steiner told TopGear.com.
“I was one of the first ones to come up with it because I think the fans want to see more competition.
“On Saturday morning when we have the free practice it’s boring for me, so I can imagine how boring it is for the fans.
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“You cannot change the car, so you’re just out there making laps, you know? I think putting a qualifying session in for the sprint race will be pretty cool.”
Formula 1 Sprint races debuted in 2021, with three initially on the calendar, increasing to six this year.
Formula 1 officials confirmed the new format on Tuesday ahead of the first of the sprint events due to be held this season in Azerbaijan.
The weekend will see teams participate in the conventional Free Practice 1 event, but it will be the only chance for teams to get to experience before qualifying kicks off.
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Qualifying will take place in the Friday slot usually reserved for FP2, setting the grid for Sunday, while Saturday’s qualifying will be for the sprint.
The change in the format might be engaging for fans but it has sparked concern among some drivers that it will make the weekend more difficult for rookies who haven’t competed around Baku.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has warned that the weekend could be “carnage” with the lack of practice really hurting his chances and those of his fellow newbies around the tight, tricky track.