After months of speculation it has finally been confirmed that Formula 1 will trial sprint races on Saturdays to determine qualifying for the Grand Prix, with the format set to be rolled out at three races this year.
While the exact races have yet to be announced, F1 have said that the sprint qualifying race will award championship points to drivers as well as set the starting grid for the Sunday race.
The grid for the sprint race will be determined by a traditional qualifying session on Friday afternoon following the first practice session, with teams given a further sixty-minute practice session on Saturday morning ahead of the 100km sprint race in the afternoon.
In contrast to the Grand Prix, the sprint races will only award points to the top three drivers and not the entire top ten.
First place on Saturday will receive three points towards their championship tally, second place two points, and third place one point.
Sprint Qualifying Race Points
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| First | 3 |
| Second | 2 |
| Third | 1 |
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