Max Verstappen finished third in the Baku sprint race, the first of the F1 season, and the reigning world champion is asking organizers to scrap the new format.

Max Verstappen criticizes the Formula 1 sprint format

Sprint races were introduced in 2021, and this year the format was changed: the number of races was doubled (from 3 to 6) and a separate qualifying session was introduced.

Verstappen (RedBull) says the sprint is “not a real race but more of a gamble” and believes F1 should abandon the format.

“It’s important to go back to where it was and make sure that every team can fight for the win. This is what we should try to adhere to, and not introduce this artificial emotion.

The sprint is intense. This is not a real race, but rather a game of chance. I will have more success in Las Vegas when I go to the casino. I love to race, I’m a pure racer and it’s more for show.

It’s like a football match where one team wins 3-0 and then suddenly it’s 0-0 and you start all over again. It seems useless to me.

To be honest, I was bored in qualifying on Saturday. I like to have one qualifying session to go all out. We did it on Friday, which I loved, and then we had to do it again on Saturday and I was like, ‘Oh my God, another qualifier.’ I just don’t like it” – Max Verstappenquoted by Autoweek.

Leclerc, Hamilton and Alonso “don’t hate” sprint races

Max Verstappen’s opinion is not shared by his rivals: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) believe that the fans want to see more action.

“I don’t hate the format, I think it’s better than last year. I would not like it to be the standard in the future, I think it is good to have three or four such races a year” – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

“I like that we’re trying something new in this format. The additional qualifying session was fun. The sprint race was less exciting, but that’s probably because it was difficult for me” – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).

“I think it’s normal. Obviously, I like the idea of ​​having less practice and the fans will definitely like to see more action. I felt that qualifying this morning was, I don’t know, a bit repetitive compared to what we had yesterday.” – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).

The actual race from Baku will take place on Sunday, April 30, from 14:00 (Romanian time), and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) will start from pole position. The Parliament of Azerbaijan is live on DigiSport, OrangeSport and PrimaSport

Formula 1, rating of pilots

1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 77 points

2 Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 62

3 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 48

4 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 40

5 Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari) 24

6 George Russell (Mercedes) 23

7 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 21

8 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 13

9 Lando Norris (McLaren) 8

10 Nico Hulkenberg (HAAS) 6

11 Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) 4

12 Esteban Ocon (Alpiyskiy) 4

13 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 4

14 Pierre Gasly (Alpisky) 4

15 Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) 2

16 Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 1

17 Kevin Magnussen (HAAS) 1

18 Alexander Albon (Williams) 1

19 Logan Sargent (Williams) 0

20 Nick De Vries (AlphaTauri) 0

Formula 1, rating of constructors

1 RedBull 137 points

2 Aston Martin 69

3 Mercedes 63

4 Ferrari 37s

5 McLaren 12s

6 Alpine 8

7 HAAS 7

8 Alfa Romeo 6

9 AlphaTauri, Williams 1.

Formula 1 season calendar for 2023

March 5: Bahrain – victory for Max Verstappen

March 19: Saudi Arabia – victory for Sergio Perez

April 2: Australia – victory for Max Verstappen

April 30: Azerbaijan / Baku

May 7: Miami

May 21: Emilia-Romagna / Imola

May 28: Monaco

June 4: Spain / Barcelona

June 18: Canada / Montreal

July 2: Austria / Spielberg

July 9: Great Britain / Silverstone

July 23: Hungary / Budapest

July 30: Belgium / Spa-Francorchamps

August 27: Netherlands / Zandvoort

September 3: Italy / Monza

September 17: Singapore / Marina Bay

September 24: Japan / Suzuka

October 8: Qatar / Losail

October 22: USA / Austin

October 29: Mexico / Mexico City

November 5: Brazil / Sao Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi / Yas Marina.