Schumacher favors “normal schedule” over sprint format

Mick Schumacher has hinted that he would prefer to stick to a “normal schedule” in Formula 1 after the sport completed its first sprint qualifying attempt in the UK.

The Silverstone event deviated from the traditional format, with qualifying being moved to Friday, a new 100 km sprint on Saturday and the main Grand Prix on Sunday.

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The first run received mixed reviews, although it was agreed that the weekend was a success with good action in the 17-lap sprint.

When asked for his opinion, Haas driver Schumacher replied: “I think it’s interesting, it’s different from anything we’ve had before.

“I think if it makes things more interesting, maybe. It makes it nice for the fans to be able to watch races on Saturday and Sunday.

“But to be fair, I wouldn’t foresee F1 going like this at every event. I think it’s going to be a special event, maybe three or four races a year, but I don’t see them doing it at every event make.

“Sometimes it’s cool, otherwise I would rather have the normal schedule, but on the other hand, you can make some races special that way.”

Schumacher hopes that the format will be increased by the car in 2022

On the same weekend as the Sprint Test, F1 unveiled its own version of the new race car, to be launched next season, with cleaner aerodynamics that promises closer, more exciting racing.

Schumacher hopes the new cars will help the sprint format as the drivers can follow more closely than with the current machine.

“The concept is interesting, but I think these cars are very difficult to follow,” he added.

“I think that should hopefully improve over the next year and make things more interesting when the cars can follow closer and the fights are more of a pack than different packs.”