Three sprints scheduled in 2022 with top eight scoring points
Published on 14 February 2022 by Stefan Meens
Following the F1 Commission meeting in London, the FIA announced the inclusion of three sprint races for 2022 Formula 1 calendar. In addition, more points will be awarded for the sprints with not just the firs three finishers but the top eight being awarded points, allocated in one-point increments with the winner taking eight.
The Grand Prix Emilia-Romagna (Imola), the Austrian Grand Prix (Red Bull Ring) and the Brazilian Grand Prix (Interlagos) are the three rounds to feature sprints. The results of these Saturday events will, like last year, determine the grid for Sunday’s race.
Where in 2021 the winner of a sprint was credited with Pole Position, the new sprint format means that pole is awarded to the driver that tops Friday qualifying.
In addition to the updated sprint regulations, the FIA announced several other changes. Following the weather-affected 2021 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, the F1 Commission approved that no points will be awarded unless a minimum of two laps have been completed by the leader without a Safety Car and/or Virtual Safety Car intervention.
Furthermore, the FIA have added new rules that dictate the awarding of points if the leader has completed more than two laps but less than 25% of the scheduled race distance. In this case, only the top five finishers will be awarded points (6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points). However, if the leader completes more than 25% of the race, but less than 50%, the top nine will go home with points (13, 10, 8 , 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1).
A third scenario, in which the leader completes 50% but less than 75% of the scheduled race distance, the traditional top ten will receive points, albeit less points than awarded after a full race distance (19, 14, 12, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1).
Finally, the FIA explained that the FIA President led detailed discussions of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Feedback from the Commission on matters raised will be incorporated into the President’s analysis and he will publicly present news of structural changes and action plan in the coming days.
