A row over money is threatening the sprint race format used to decide qualifying at some Formula One Grand Prix. Unless some consensus can be found, there is the possibility that it will not be used at all during the 2022 season.
The format, which was trialled for the first time last season at Silverstone, Monza and Inter Lagos, saw the traditional Saturday qualifying with a sprint race instead. The order the cars finished in that race would determine where they started on the grid for the main race on Sunday.
To incentivise teams, points were on offer which counted towards both the Drivers and the Constructors’ Championship for those cars which finished in the first three places on Saturday.
Opinion was divided as to the success of the format, with a number of teams, drivers and fans of the sport regarding it as a gimmick. However, figures showed that it had increased audience figures and sponsorship income, and proved popular with casual TV viewers who are not diehard fans of the sport.
As a result, it was proposed to roll it out to six races in the coming season.
In 2021, a financial deal was put in place to provide the teams small compensation for the fact that there was more racing and, therefore, greater likelihood of cars getting damaged.
However, some larger teams are now trying to take advantage of this provision and pushing for a larger amount, effectively allowing them to get round the budget cap, which is set at USD 140 million for 2022. It is meant to level the playing field to a certain extent.
F1 rules dictate that for any change in the regulations in a calendar year, at least eight out of the ten teams need to agree. Then, if the possibility that rebels can effectively hold the sport to ransom if they can garner enough support.
Given the bitterness and acrimony within Formula One at the moment and between the principal teams, the prospect of compromise seems unlikely at this stage.