Domenicali reveals latest plan for F1 2022 calendar

Mark Scott 04 Oct 2021 11:30 AM

Monza Formula 1 sprint qualifying. September Monza 2021 — The start of the second sprint race gets underway at the Italian Grand Prix. September Monza 2021

F1 chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali has said the sport is targeting a mid-November finish in 2022, with seven or eight rounds being sprint race weekends.

The last three seasons in Formula 1 have all finished in December, with the 2021 campaign due to finish on December 12 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

But, with a record-breaking 23 races set to feature on the 2022 calendar, it appears they are going to be packed into a tighter schedule so that all the travelling team members and drivers get an extended rest before attentions turn to the following year.

“I can anticipate that, for sure, the calendar will be done with 23 races,” Domenicali told Sky Sports F1.

“Of course we will be very respectful towards the Covid regulations issued around the world from the different governments. But that is our aim that F1 can give this sign of hope and to go to normal things to enjoy.

“The idea is to make sure there is the right rhythm to the calendar. There are of course considerations related to periods to make sure logistically the flow has to be right.

“One thing I can tell you, without discovering too many things is that next year the season will start in the middle of March and will finish in the middle of November.”

So much for evaluating the success of Sprint after running all three trials eh #F1 https://t.co/K8qlmIVXGZ

— Phillip Horton (@PHortonF1) October 4, 2021

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In other calendar news, sprint race weekends are set to make up at least a third of the 2022 calendar even though the three sprint race trials in 2021 are yet to be completed.

Domenicali said Formula 1 has been greatly encouraged by the feedback received from the first two sprint race trials so far – at Silverstone and Monza – and claimed the format change has been “an incredible success”.

“We said at the beginning of the year there would be three tests this year to make sure we have the right plan for the future,” he said.

“The vast majority of the comments we received were super positive. Promoters are super happy because there is something new and important on Friday and Saturday and Sunday.

“We are receiving this positive feedback therefore we need to know next year we have a great plan where we will consider also the points highlighted by people who did not like this format. Generally speaking it has been an incredible success.

“I can say we will not go everywhere with the Sprint qualy format. It is something we want to keep for one third of the races more or less and to connect with a certain different way of giving rewards and points and to connect with specific circuits that as you know would make the difference.

“So there is a lot of food for thought. We will involve all the stakeholders: broadcasters, drivers, teams, promoters and fans. We won’t forget our role is to take the right decision and to consider all the points and points of view of everyone.”