FORMULA ONE
Stefano Domenicali backs sprint races despite Max Verstappen criticism
Formula One CEO has insisted sport’s growing fanbase may be under threat without sprint races and urged drivers to embrace the change
Verstappen, left, who is against the introduction of the new format, clashed with Mercedes’ George Russell after the Baku sprint race
LISI NIESNER/GETTY IMAGES
The chief executive of Formula One has defended the expansion of sprint races this season despite criticism from Max Verstappen.
The number of sprint races has doubled this year, with the new format involving the Saturday of a race weekend being solely dedicated to them, but Verstappen has demanded their removal.
However, Stefano Domenicali insisted that the sport’s growing fanbase may be under threat without sprint races and urged drivers to embrace the change.
Verstappen, pictured celebrating his Miami GP win, has been scathing of the shorter races
DOUGLAS MURRAY/SHUTTERSTOCK
“We have a new audience and need to provide value for money every session, not let everyone drive around in circles for the sole benefit of engineers and drivers,” he said. “Sometimes being out of our comfort zone is not easy, but we cannot be lazy or complacent.”
Under the new
