Max Verstappen is baffled by Formula 1's decision to expand its Sprint Qualifying programme as he called for the short-form races to be axed.
Sprints were introduced last year to add to the racing action on weekends. Three were held in 2021, which saw points awarded to the top three finishers and pole position given to the winner of the 100km race – the result of which determined the grid for the main event.
The format continued into this season, with tweaks made to return the pole position award to the main qualifying session, and expanding the points so that the top eight finishers score. The final Sprint of the 2022 season will take place this weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Ahead of that event, Verstappen has made it clear he is not a fan of the innovation. He would rather use the traditional format of qualifying on a Saturday before Sunday's race, as he detailed the unnecessary risk he believes is posed by the additional slice of racing action.
"Every time I do these [sprint] races, it's about 'don't get damage, make sure you stay in the top three,'" said the Dutchman. "For me, that's not really a race, because you go into the main race and you know there are way more points available anyway, you just risk a bit more there.
"You do another start, which is exciting, but it's only really people who are out of position that move forward because only you put a tyre on that just lasts a whole stint and not much happens."
The Sprint in Brazil this weekend will be the third of the season, after similar events at Imola and in Austria earlier in the year. Plans to expand that number to six for next season have already been approved by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, which is something Verstappen is not too happy about.
"I don't understand what the problem is for that, because we've had so many exciting races, so you don't need to add one-third of a race distance," the Red Bull racer added. "Everyone is so careful anyway, because if you are fighting for third and you have a little touch and you drop to last, you know your Sunday is going to be tough. Probably you won't risk it, so that's not really a race."
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is more open to the Sprint format – but made it clear it would not be suitable for every venue. "Putting them in places like Brazil that creates a lot of opportunity, or somewhere like Baku, is going to be the best places for overtaking," he said. "I'm not against it – as long as they're selective of where they put it."
