Krack warns F1 against 'abandoning DNA' in format changes

Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack has warned Formula 1 that it must "keep its DNA" whilst the championship continues to evolve.

The series will see the first Sprint weekend of 2023 at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the first of the season and the first to be held at a street circuit since the format was introduced in 2021.

After the initial trials two years ago and subsequent implementation in 2022, the current campaign will include six Sprints – up from three – whilst MotoGP's decision to use a similar format throughout its entire schedule will no doubt prompt wishes for F1 to increase its own tally.

But the format has been far from perfected as yet, and F1 teams are understood to have agreed to tweaks ahead of the return to the Baku City Circuit which would see a second qualifying session introduced to create separation between the Saturday Sprint and Sunday's Grand Prix, though any changes must be rushed into existence.

The alterations would leave teams with just one practice session on Friday morning, followed by qualifying for the Grand Prix.

Saturday would then exclusively host Sprint qualifying and the 100km Sprint before focus reverts to the main event on Sunday.

Sensible compromise

Since being brought into the sport, the Sprint has received mixed reactions from those involved as well as fans old and new.

Speaking to media including RacingNews365.com, Krack explained: "F1 has to evolve, in general, but F1 also has to keep its DNA.

"There [have been] some quite constructive discussions on how to achieve that, because you have to also understand all the stakeholders' interests, which we do, but then also we have a very tight timeline now, with regulations, with tyre availability, with engine mileage and all that.

"All these points, you have to factor in and try to find a sensible compromise and maybe at one point you have also to put the interest of a single team on the side, and look for the big picture."