F1 Sprint format tweak agreed ahead of return for 2024 season

F1 Sprint will return for a fourth season in 2024 and a format tweak is set to make the spectacle more engaging than ever.

As outlined in December, Brazil will host its fourth consecutive Sprint weekend, with Austria to stage its third, Austin and Qatar returning for a second year, and China and Miami joining the line-up for the first time.

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On Monday, the F1 Commission met to discuss a range of matters and, shortly after the gathering concluded, a Sprint format update was communicated.

For this year, Sprint Qualifying will move from Saturday to Friday, following an initial free practice session for track acclimatisation and set-up work.

The 100km Sprint will then take place on Saturday, ahead of qualifying for the Grand Prix later that day. The Grand Prix itself will remain on Sunday.

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The regulatory refinements for these changes will be presented to the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) on February 28.

Away from the Sprint, a proposal to increase the power unit allocation to four per driver for the 2024 and 2025 seasons was agreed.

Additionally, DRS activation for the race will be anticipated to one lap as opposed to two laps after the start of the race, or the re-start following a Safety Car.