Gabriel Bortoleto, a rising Brazilian driver in his debut Formula 1 season, has raised concerns regarding the proposed increase of sprint races in the championship calendar. With discussions underway about introducing up to 12 sprint events per season, Bortoleto highlighted the potential risks and challenges posed by the format, especially on circuits like Singapore‘s Marina Bay.
The Formula 1 community is actively debating the expansion of sprint races, partly fueled by hints from F1 boss Stefano Domenicali about adding more sprint weekends in coming seasons. Bortoleto’s apprehension particularly focuses on the unique circumstances of the Singapore Grand Prix, where a daytime sprint race would take place on a street circuit known for tight walls and limited run-off areas, elevating dangers for drivers.
Speaking about his concerns, Bortoleto pointed out the difficulty that sprint weekends cause, especially for newcomers. Since sprint events reduce the number of free practice sessions to only one, drivers have less time to familiarize themselves with the track and fine-tune their cars. As a driver transitioning out of rookie status next year, he emphasized how these constraints could be even more problematic for future rookies and inexperienced drivers.
Not being a rookie next year, but it’s definitely a problem,
Bortoleto said.
Singapore in the daytime… not ideal. I was fortunate to enter F1 at this time. There are a few sprints, but not too many yet. But for future rookies, I think having sprints, with just one practice session, won’t be easy.
The governing bodies are considering expanding sprint races to as many as 12 per year, which would represent half of the race weekends. While Bortoleto accepts that more sprint events might increase fan excitement and add more competitive action, he cautioned that this approach could limit teams’ ability to develop their cars effectively. The driver stressed the importance of multiple practice sessions in allowing teams to gather valuable data and make detailed technical adjustments.
I’m accustomed to the current format,
Bortoleto added.
I believe the current one is not bad. I like having FP1, FP2, and FP3 to develop, test things on the car, and make adjustments. That’s what I find fascinating in F1, how you can delve into details and make fine-tuning. With a sprint weekend, time is always short, and you need to act quickly, sometimes not being able to maximize things in time.
Despite recognizing the added entertainment value sprint races bring to race weekends, Bortoleto remains firm on his view that increasing the number beyond 12 could be detrimental to the sport’s technical depth and driver preparation.
I think that’s already a hard limit,
he said.
Bortoleto’s warnings underscore the tension between evolving the sport to enhance spectacle and maintaining the careful balance necessary for driver safety and team performance. As discussions continue, the future format of Formula 1 weekends remains a critical topic for teams, drivers, and fans alike.
