F1: Stefano Domenicali Reveals Third Sprint Qualifying Will Happen In Brazil

F1's CEO Stefano Domenicali has revealed that the third and final sprint qualifying session of the season will happen in Brazil at the iconic Interlagos race track. This is contingent on the fact the race goes ahead in the South American country which is reeling from COVID19 and continues to witness over 1,000 deaths related to the pandemic per day. The Italian GP at Monza will be the venue for the 2nd sprint qualifying session and if the COVID restrictions allow, Brazil will host the 3rd and final session. 

"When we talk about the sprint race format, the idea was to offer something different to all stakeholders in F1," Domenicali said to investors on Wall Street, quoted by the Dutch edition of Motorsport.

"We said we wanted to do tests this year. One has already been done at Silverstone, another will be at Monza. And the third will be in Brazil at the end of the season. After this test we will see what the next step will be," added the former CEO of Lamborghini. 

The anti-clockwise Interlagos track is one of the classic tracks on the F1 calendar 

The first sprint qualifying session was deemed a success as it triggered a spicy race which culminated with the opening lap incident featuring Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The FIA and F1 are looking at ways to optimise and improve the format as all drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc aren't fully sold on the format.

"The people who came to the circuit on Friday [at Silverstone] were really all set for Friday's qualifying. The result of that first event has been very positive, if I may say so, which is great," added the Italian who took charge of the sport earlier this year. 

"It has brought a lot of attention and also new partners, because thanks to that we have brought in Crypto.com [new sprint qualifying sponsor]," he added. 

F1 MD, Ross Brawn and Stefano Domenicali as the Technical Director and Team Manager respectively at Scuderia Ferrari | Pic Credit: F1

His subordinate and former Ferrari colleague Ross Brawn who has been the driving force behind this massive change to the F1 weekend has insisted that the idea will be shelved if it does not satisfy the fans. But in the case it is well liked, Brawn wants to have 6 sprint qualifying sessions in 2022. 

"We will have a full evaluation at the end of the season. Of course, we have a plan for the future," Domenicali added. 

"We are developing and refining it after the comments we have received. We are ready to prepare a proposal at the end of the three sprint races, which will hopefully be a big step and a different future of Formula 1," he explained.