The upcoming British Grand Prix will host the first of three Sprint Qualifying F1 weekends. One driver who could benefit from the new format is McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo. After an impressive performance at the Austrian Grand Prix, the Australian was able to start the main race further ahead thanks to the new format.
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Before lap 10 at Silverstone, the 32-year-old outlined what the approach will look like and how he could play to his strengths.
Daniel Ricciardo believes the drivers will treat Sprint Qualifying like a race
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While the sprint qualifying format is already part of Formula 2, it will make its debut in F1 at Silverstone. The goal of introducing Sprint Qualifying is to make the F1 weekend more interesting, with each day becoming critical.
While the qualifying on Friday determines the starting grid for the sprint qualifying, the 100 km sprint on Saturday forms the starting grid for the race on Sunday. This means that all 20 drivers do not have a single day to bet less than 100% when they get into the car.
In addition, the sprint qualifying could give an interesting look at the starting grid for the main race. Ahead of the UK Grand Prix, Ricciardo believes the drivers will have an offensive mindset in Sprint Qualifying. He also admitted that there is no room for complacency on any day of the weekend.
Formula 1 F1 – Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 3, 2021 McLarens Daniel Ricciardo during the press conference pool about REUTERS / Clive Rose
He said, “I think it has to be treated like a race. You can’t be complacent, otherwise you’ll start further back on Sunday and then have to take the whole risk. So I would say the approach is quite normal: try to attack if possible and make the most of it. ”(Quotes translated by Google)
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Ricciardo admits that he could start further ahead on Sunday
In the Triple Header, the Honey Badger made up a few places in his first laps. With this confidence, Ricciardo believes that sprint qualifying could help him start the race earlier on Sunday.
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The Australian said: “Just like at my starts in the last three races, I think I made up at least two places on every first lap. So a sprint qualifying means that I’ll probably be further ahead on Sunday! “
With Ricciardo returning to the track where he made his F1 debut, the Sprint Qualifying Format could be what he needs to turn his season around.
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WATCH HISTORY: What are sprint races and where are they held?
The post Why Daniel Ricciardo is looking forward to Sprint Qualifying in F1 first appeared on monter-une-startup.
