F1 has today confirmed that Sprint Qualifying will be trialled once again at the Italian Grand Prix weekend.

As was the case at Silverstone there will be a free practice session on Friday afternoon with qualifying taking place at 18:00 (all times local).

Saturday practice will get underway at 12:00, while Sprint Qualifying, which decides Sunday's grid, gets underway at 16:30.

Due to the length of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza it is anticipated that the race will comprise 18 laps, around 104 kms (65 miles) though many feel that last weekend's Sprint - 100 kms (62 miles) - was several laps too long.

While fans remain divided on the format, most teams and drivers appear to be in favour, with F1 motorsport boss, Ross Brawn insisting it was a success, though he admits that it may need to be tweaked.

The third event to feature Sprint Qualifying was expected to be the Brazilian Grand Prix but it is looking increasingly likely that the sport will not be heading to South America this year.

Indeed, Pitpass has heard from a couple of reliable sources that Qatar is to be announced as a surprise host later in the year.

Auto Motor und Sport's Tobu Gruner mentioned the possibility of a Qatar Grand Prix yesterday, but few appear to have taken up on the story which was first revealed to Pitpass over a week ago.

With some already querying how a Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia sits with Formula One's supposed attitude towards human rights, the possibility of a race in Qatar will again raise eyebrows.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Editor, 24/07/2021 7:58

"@ ian_w

We were thinking ahead to when Liberty reduces it to a two-day weekend.

Assuming it still owns F1 at that stage. ;-)"

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2. Posted by ian_w, 24/07/2021 7:50

"@editor,

should read, "free practice session on FRIDAY afternoon with qualifying taking place at 18:00 (all times local).""

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3. Posted by @R1Racing71, 23/07/2021 11:59

"Great news. :)"

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4. Posted by kenji, 23/07/2021 11:14

"@ Roli...I do find that as a professed F1 fan that you have adopted this attitude? So, I take it that you'll watch Friday's FP1 and the old 'Quali'. Then you'll watch FP2 on Sat. morning, then shut it all down until the race on Sunday. You won't know what the grid line up is as you say you'll not be following it until the race start. I know that it's none of my business but I do find it all rather strange! IMO...F1 is F1 irrespective of whatever sideshow is in play. Since GP inception I haven't missed any more than 4/5 races. I like motor racing too much to quibble over other issues of which the 'sprint' is simply one. Enjoy Hungary.....it's 'sprint free'."

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5. Posted by KKK, 23/07/2021 6:36

"waste of time and money. I wont be watching it or following it. Qualifying is al that is needed"

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F1 confirms Monza to host Sprint Qualifying

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