\n<\/p>\n
Formula 1 introduced sprint races with the idea of providing audiences with more competitive action over the course of a three-day grand prix weekend.<\/p>\n
F1 has numbers that it says prove that more people watch over a sprint weekend than a regular grand prix.<\/p>\n
But, in the way of broadcasting statistics, it’s not entirely clear whether this is more actual people, or just the same people watching more of the on-track action. Rather like claiming 500,000 people attended the British Grand Prix, but that being a cumulative figure over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Sprints have been through a number of formats, a reflection of the fact that it was an experiment that F1 did not get quite right initially.<\/p>\n
The bigger audiences have led to F1 wanting to increase the number of sprints in the future.<\/p>\n
There will be six again in 2026, but the feeling is the number could double to 12 – or half the calendar – in the near future.<\/p>\n
Many drivers still do not want sprints to become the default format, but even arch-critic Max Verstappen has mellowed on them now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n