Former team owner criticises 'sham' F1 rule

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has hit out at sprint races in F1, labelling them as a “con” and “sham” to the sport.

F1 introduced sprint races in 2021, which saw a major change to the traditional weekend format. 

Three sprint events were held in 2021 and 2022 while the volume was increased to six for both last season and the ongoing campaign.

The alternate weekend format increases the unpredictability element as teams and drivers have just one hour of practice before they are thrown into competitive sessions.

Jordan has condemned the sprint events and instead suggested they should solely be used for rookie drivers.

“The sprint races, for me, are a complete con, a complete sham,” Jordan told the Formula For Success podcast.

“They do nothing for me and I haven't seen a decent one yet. 

“I think it's time - we've had it, we've seen it. Make sure those sprint races are for the rookies coming through, but for the main drivers, [it's] absolutely shambolic.”

Jordan blasts 'stupid' DRS tool in F1

Jordan also took issue with the Drag Reduction System (DRS), a rear wing mechanism that aids overtaking.

The system has been in place since 2011 and has split opinion ever since - some have labelled it as artificial while others argue the increase in dirty air in recent years makes DRS necessary for racing.

Jordan labelled the device as “false” and stated defending drivers have an unfair advantage.

“DRS is fundamentally false,” he said. “We saw an outrageous race in Brazil. Let's assume Lando gets the jump at the start of the race.

“Lap three, he hasn't quite broken the one-second mark, and let's say it’s Leclerc who is close enough to him, he's got the DRS, and he comes bounding up the hill and suddenly, bang - he's through.

“That's not a fight. That’s like having a boxer with one hand tied behind his back for that particular moment. It's an unfair advantage, isn't it?

“He hasn't got all the facilities to be able to defend himself. I'm of the opinion, if you can't do it fairly and squarely, why punish a good driver for just giving up a spot?

“[It is] because that stupid rule, DRS, is in play. I'm not in favour of it. I'm old-fashioned call me what you like.”