As the FIA stalls plans to increase the number of Sprint events in 2023, the sport's governing body is accused of greed.

Speaking at the weekend, having branded Saturday's Sprint a "great success", F1 MD, Ross Brawn announced that Tuesday's meeting of the F1 Commission would see the approval of six Sprints for the 2023 season.

Of course, six was the aim for this season, with Brawn having said that "a third" of the Grands Prix would feature Sprints, but that was until the bigger teams put the damper on things in a row over the amount of compensation that would be paid in the event of incidents... the bigger teams seeking a raising of the budget cap.

However, while Tuesday's meeting saw the teams agree on six Sprints for next season, it was the FIA that threw a spanner in the works.

"While supporting the principle of an increased number of Sprint events, the FIA is still evaluating the impact of this proposal on its trackside operations and personnel, and will provide its feedback to the Commission," said the governing body in a statement.

According to Sky Sports, sources claim that "unjustifiable financial requests" are at the root of the FIA's prevarication.

"The word 'greed' was actually used to me," Sky Sports Craig Slater told Sky Sports News. "And a couple of teams said that, in their view, the FIA do not incur significant extra costs by replacing a practice session with a sprint event.

"They're shocked that the FIA has taken this position," he added. "What we've had at this meeting is a very significant split at the very highest level of Formula One.

"Among the subjects discussed was increasing the number of sprints to six next year - the sport's commercial rights holder, was in favour of that, there was unanimity among the 10 teams in favour of that as well, but it has not happened because the FIA cannot support it at this point.

"F1 and the teams have seen how the sprint increased TV audiences and view it attractive to younger fans. They hope it could gain independent sponsorship and become an even bigger revenue stream.

"A number of senior figures at the meeting also told me they were bemused at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's general attitude. They felt he was more interested in talking about issues like drivers wearing jewellery than some of the major concerns confronting F1. There is growing concern he is not aligned with F1's direction of travel."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 30/04/2022 10:01

"

Given that the ordinary GP weekend includes three free practice sessions whereby the 'sprint' weekends replace FP3 why would any one object to this? It has a start and an end and a bit of excitement in between. How can that be bad? It has no bearing on what happens on Sunday apart from setting the grid positions which possibly may include a few car/drivers out of position. How can that be bad? The entire sprint race time amounts to a mere 3hrs, at the most, in an entire year of F1 racing yet people are getting all wound up over it.
That doesn't make any sense to me when considering the alternative."

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2. Posted by NS Biker, 29/04/2022 21:36

"Possible alternative reason for promoting Sprint Races.
If there is recognition that the really long term expectation for F1 is an all electric power train, (ugh) then how do you get there.
Best way to achieve that within 10 years or so is to go to a two race format. Then, how do you transition the sport and the fans into this mode....sprint qualifying races.
They start out short, only top 3 get points, then top 8 and next top 10.
Sprint races get longer and Sunday race shorter, to manage the expense and car wear n tear.
Next step is a combined points winner selection for Saturday and Sunday.
How long will this take, my guess under 10 years and we are already at year 2.
The evolution has started and as has been touted in the past, "Resistance is futile".
Trust me on this, no one wants this to be wrong more than I."

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3. Posted by alvarezh3, 29/04/2022 15:23

"So the underlaying reason for Ross Brawn's insistence on having the sprint races is now out in the open, it has nothing to do with giving spectators some additional entertainment -that's the excuse- its all about the additional revenue.

No wonder the FIA wants it's piece of the pie!"

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4. Posted by kdxrider, 29/04/2022 13:23

"@ Editor,

My comment didn't come out as I meant it. I was thinking that the 'greed' is coming from the source of the complaint, I mean big bucks to see the quali on Friday, bigger bucks to see the Sprint on Saturdau, mega bucks to see the race.
And there's no improvement in the racing -- sure you see a lot more cars racing together, or should I say all in a line in each TV shot --- but there's still no ""lots of overtaking"" is there ?"

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5. Posted by dejan, 28/04/2022 15:55

"We are getting back to the 1980s so "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.""

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6. Posted by Tardis40, 28/04/2022 14:34

"I was originally in favor, but after seeing a few I could do without them."

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7. Posted by NS Biker, 28/04/2022 14:24

"While not a fan of the Sprint Format, I have watched all of them to date. Mia culpa.
In the case of the FIA wanting something for these extra races, I think I understand their position.
It wasn't long ago that there was a push to get the whole show down to two days of track time. Under the guise of "reducing expenses" , eliminate Friday Running and concentrate it all in two days.
So now the Sprint Format has solidified the three track days, increased the total running time and the drivers are complaining they are now on the hook for more time commitments and four days at the track.
Because of the current rules, the Sprint Race results in an extra race-worth of time and activity for, likely, the bulk of the FIA Team of officials. So do they overwork their existing staff or bring on additional personnel for the Sprint events? Remember the push to reduce costs ...?
The Sprint is going to bring in new revenue streams, so it is only natural that those impacted with added workloads will ask for and ultimately get, cost recovery for it.
My personal choice would be to adjust the regulations (Parc Ferme as an eg.) to reduce workload and ultimately the costs. "

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8. Posted by ARL, 28/04/2022 13:53

"I suppose the "great success" (copyright R Brawn Esq) did have as many changes of lead as all three sprint races in '21 (2). Maybe Ross will instigate Bernie's random sprinklers to stir things up.

Is Ben Sulayem looking for more money from the commercial rights holder for holding more races?

Are any rational people or even teletubbies "aligned with F1's direction of travel"?"

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9. Posted by Editor, 28/04/2022 13:31

"@ kdxrider

In which case you are in for a major shock when Christian Sylt's book comes out later this year.

As are the FIA... and many others."

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10. Posted by kdxrider, 28/04/2022 13:17

"Well, I find it mind boggling that it's the FIA being accused of greed ----- "

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11. Posted by kenji, 28/04/2022 12:20

"@ Endre...are you hanging me out to dry?"

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12. Posted by Endre, 28/04/2022 12:17

"@Editor. OK, in that case I have to retract, there are no 5 other people :)"

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13. Posted by Editor, 28/04/2022 12:09

"@ Endre

For fact checking purposes, please name the other 5 people... and do not include Ross Brawn, Mrs Brawn or any members of the Brawn family."

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14. Posted by Endre, 28/04/2022 12:07

"Guys, stop making fun of the sprints. kenji and and the 5 other people who like it will get upset again :)"

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15. Posted by Mad Matt, 28/04/2022 9:32

"It also irritates me this false idea that everything has to be for the kids and that kids can only cope with a short simple concept (perhaps they're confusing them with Americans... sorry couldn't help myself :-) )... but a lot of kids love football, which lasts 90+ minutes, they love discussing the intricacies of the off-side rule, tactics etc. In my house they've even taken the rules of Uno and made them more complicated to make the game "more fun".

I've got no problem with getting kids interested in F1 but let's not patronise them.... and let's not turn F1 into "The Phantom Menace"...."

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FIA accused of greed over Sprint stance

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