Formula 1 teams are reported to be open to the idea of sprint races, but have requested further details as to how they would work.
The teams met up with the FIA and the F1 Commission on Thursday to discuss different issues such as an engine freeze, which has been approved, and the idea of sprint races.
The sport is hoping to trial the format at three Grands Prix in the 2021 season – in Canada, Italy and Brazil.
Sprint races have been discussed as an option to attract a larger worldwide audience and make the race weekend as a whole more of a spectacle.
It is being widely reported that there was no official green light given to the new format, but that teams are remaining open to the idea.
At this stage, the details of how the races would work remain unclear, and that is why bosses are hesitant to agree to the new format without knowing what they would be walking into.
It is thought that the official qualifying session could be moved to Friday afternoon, with the action on Saturday then becoming a 100km sprint which will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s main race.
There have also been suggestions that there could be points to play for within the sprints, and it is likely that these are the sort of details which teams want clarifying before they can make a proper decision.
As quoted by the Formula 1 website, the sport’s CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously said: “What we’re looking at is what could be the approach of the so-called sprint race on a Saturday. We are thinking if this could be tested already this year.
“There are discussions going on with the teams in the right forum, and I think that maybe this could be the only one thing that could be interesting.”
More details to follow.
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