Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone

[SteveB]

New trial format for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Qualifying has been moved to Friday and it does not determine the race start order but the order for a sprint race.
The Sprint will be a race run over 100km (in Silverstone's case, 17 laps) and lasting around 25-30 minutes, on Saturday at 16:30. It is designed to be short and fast with drivers racing flat-out from start to finish without the need to pit.
Points will be awarded to the top three finishers, three for the winner down to one point for third.

The finishing order of the sprint race will define the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix race, starting at 15:00.

The soft tyres will be used in the sprint. Teams will be free to start Sunday’s race on any compound, rather than having to run the tyre they qualify on in Q2.

This is the first of three races involving the Sprint Race.
The remaining two races have yet to be announced, but Monza is likely to be another.
If the format works, it will not be at every Grand Prix, but at selected ones.

So, in conclusion, you have qualifying for qualifying.
You qualify for the start order for a “sprint race” that is qualifying for the main race start order. Plus there are extra points for the top three in the sprint race.

Qualifying results. (For sprint race positions)
How they will start sprint qualifying


• 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
• 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• 5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
• 6. Lando Norris (McLaren)
• 7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
• 8. George Russell (Williams)
• 9. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
• 10. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
• 11. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
• 12. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
• 13. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
• 14. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo)
• 15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
• 16. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
• 17. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo)
• 18. Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
• 19. Mick Schumacher (Haas)
• 20. Nikita Mazepin (Haas)

[Bukar]

This should be interesting, in a way two races over the weekend. Somewhat contrary to the whole cost cutting ideology as the race day is more costly then practice and qualifying.
Probably better suited to faster cars, no holding back.

[SteveB]

More about creating entertainment than about racing or reducing cost.
Can't be completely flat-out racing because even in this short distance the tyres will only withstand so much.
Destroy your tyres and there is not enough time for a pit-stop. Should be interesting to see whether it is fast and furious or a cautious procession.

[SteveB]

Valtteri Bottas is starting on the soft tyre to get a good start and get past Max Verstappen. Does not work. Max Verstappen takes the lead.

[SteveB]

Lewis Hamilton looks very fast but has lost out to Max Verstappen

[SteveB]

Best start is Fernando Alonso. He is fifth from eleventh.

[SteveB]

Meanwhile Sergio Perez spins the other Red Bull. He was fourth but will be well back now.

[SteveB]

Fernando Alonso weaving furiously to hold off Lando Norris but he weaves in vain as he drops to sixth and Norris takes fifth.

[SteveB]

Sergio Perez is last-but-one and will start there or thereabouts tomorrow. Risks of the sprint race. Six laps to go.

[SteveB]

Valtteri Bottas's gamble with the sort tyres didn't pay and he could lose out to Charles Leclerc