F1 CEO Domenicali Can See Sprint Qualifying as New Normal

Saturday Sprint races could be installed as a permanent replacement for traditional qualifying in Formula 1, CEO Stefano Domenicali says.

The format made its debut at Silverstone, with the second of three trial Sprint Qualifying rounds in 2021 now confirmed for the Italian Grand Prix in September. The U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, is a candidate for the third trial of the format that includes a 30-minute race to set the grid for Sunday's main event.

"Do you know what the best thing is? That on Friday in Hungary, people will say 'how boring'," Domenicali told Italian Media Outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Some in F1 have suggested some changes to the format are needed, but Domenicali says the general reaction to sprint qualifying has been positive.

"In the U.S., they are enthusiastic about it. We know that Americans love the show as well as the competition," Domenicali said.

As for the team bosses, he claims they are "100 percent in favor."

"We finally had the courage to do something different, and this attitude was greatly appreciated by those we consider as potential newcomers to F1," said Domenicali. "Giving different content to those who come to the track on every day is something extraordinary. The fact that there is something of importance every day (of a race weekend) is an extra element.