McLaren driver Lando Norris has claimed potential alterations to Formula 1's Sprint weekend schedule would fall in line with drivers' initial hopes for the format. The sport is aiming to introduce a second qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with teams understood to have agreed to the plans, though confirmation will need to be rushed before the return to the Baku City Circuit. Under the current proposals, Saturday's second free practice session would be replaced by qualifying for the Sprint, with the existing Friday qualifying acting as a standalone grid-setter for the Grand Prix. This splits the 100km Sprint from the main race, taking away the element of danger from the Saturday event and would allow for the potential for harder racing between rivals.
Norris: 'Not the point of Sprint'
Championship leader Max Verstappen was left disgruntled by the prospect of further alterations to an F1 weekend, suggesting he "wouldn't be around too long" should changes continue to be pushed through . But offering a more positive reaction, Norris told media, including RacingNews365.com : "I think that's what all the drivers have always said, to be honest - it shouldn't be connected to the main race. "What we have on Sunday, as a Formula 1 spectacle, is good as it is, I don't want anything to be affecting that. "The Sprint races in previous years have, and if it is still the same for this year, you are just a bit afraid to do anything too much in the first one and they can quite easily ruin your Sunday. "I don't think that's the point of what it should be, it's more just to add entertainment for the viewers and for the fans who are able to see an extra race. "I look forward to it, I enjoy Baku - a good circuit. It should be tough, exciting, considering it is a Sprint race, you never know what can happen and it is always good fun."
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