F1 sprint races could be scrapped in 2022 due to big teams salary cap concerns

02/04/2022

Complaints from the top three teams in Formula 1 could see the Sprint Qualifying format scrapped over budget cap concerns.

Sprints were first introduced in three trial runs last season, and the FIA 's 2022 calendar currently plans six more over the course of the coming campaign.

F1 chief Stefano Domenicali and managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn are very keen on the new qualifying format and want to expand it going forward.

However, according to the Press Association, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari are all more reluctant to take part in those extra sessions and are demanding to be allowed to spend more cash for their co-operation.

They all want an increase to the current salary cap, which has been set at £103m per team for the upcoming season.

The rationale behind that request is that Sprint Qualifying increases wear on engine parts and the number of opportunities for a crash, with spare parts often racking up huge costs.

Both F1 and the FIA are not willing to meet that demand, meaning there is a real possibility Sprint Qualifying might not take place at all in 2022 as eight of the 10 teams are needed to approve the format for use.

As a compromise, F1 would be prepared to slim down the proposal to three Sprint events in the 2022 calendar if it cannot get enough votes for the six currently planned.

When the topic is discussed on February 14 at the F1 Commission, there will be just four weeks until the starts of the season's competitive action in Bahrain.

On the proposed budget cap increases, McLaren chief Zak Brown has accused the top teams of unfairly trying to gain an advantage.

"One in particular wanted a £3.7m budget cap increase which was just ridiculous, with no rational facts behind it," the American claimed.

"When those facts are challenged, the response is, 'well, you have to anticipate and have the extra money just in case something happens'. You end up sitting there and realising it is just nonsense.

"We all have the same challenge. If you do happen to have more crashes, well that is part of sport, like a football player getting injured. We shouldn't solve it just by getting the chequebook out."

The six planned Sprint Qualifying locations have not been confirmed, though the preferred locations are thought to be in Bahrain, Emilia Romagna, Canada, Austria, the Netherlands and Brazil.

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