Silverstone snubbed as F1 announce Sprint venues for 2023

Formula One have announced which six grand prix will be used for the divisive Sprint events for the 2023 season.

With this year’s championship all done and dusted, attention has already turned to next season, which sees the number of Sprint races doubled from three to six.

Introduced in 2021, the Sprint sees the standard qualifying session moved from Saturday to Friday, with a 100km race taking it’s place, the results of which determine the starting grid for Sunday’s main race.

On Wednesday, F1 confirmed that Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Qatar and the USA will host the Sprint races next season.

Brazil has hosted the Sprint ever since it’s debut year, in large because of how much overtaking and entertaining racing the Interlagos circuit provides, while the Red Bull Ring in Austria also played host to the Sprint this year.

The USA’s selection will prove popular and makes sense given how the Circuit of the Americas in Austin provided a thrilling race back in October, but the other tracks are somewhat questionable choices.

There are perhaps better choices on the 2023 calendar, especially Silverstone in the Uk which hosted the very first Sprint to great success but has not been used since.

The Sprints have proven divisive since their introduction, as while they provide more on track action for those physically attending grand prix weekends, they haven’t always been particularly entertaining.

In 2022, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Sprint races in Imola and Austria, while Mercedes’ George Russell took victory in Brazil, ahead of his maiden F1 win.

F1 is also currently looking into a replacement for the Chinese Grand Prix that was very recently removed from the 2023 calendar due to ‘Covid difficulties’.

Organisers are desperate to secure a deal for a new venue to ensure that next season features a record-breaking 24 grand prix.

Locations that have been heavily tipped to replace China are Portimao in Portugal and Istanbul park in Turkey.

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