Eddie Jordan slams ‘absolutely shambolic’ part of F1 race weekends that should only be for rookies

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The 2024 Formula 1 champion looks to be all but confirmed as Lando Norris is running out of opportunities to close the gap to Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman ended his 10-race winless run in sensational fashion as he glided through the field from 17th in torrential rain to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix by over 20 seconds.

Norris has tried, but ultimately failed to take proper advantage of the performance seen in his McLaren compared to the drop-off seen in his rival’s Red Bull. In the time Verstappen has gone without a win, Norris only outscored the three-time champion by 22 points.

The result in Sao Paulo means Verstappen holds a 62-point lead heading into the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which almost guarantees Norris’ title chances to be all but over with three races to go plus the final Sprint race of the season in Qatar.

Norris has had 10 Grand Prix and three Sprint races to close the gap to Verstappen in the time it took for the latter to win a race, with the Red Bull driver winning two of those Sprints in Austria and Austin.

The short distance races on Saturdays have become a key part of the sport in recent years, with the popularity sky high amongst fans. But Eddie Jordan does not see it the same way.

Eddie Jordan says Sprint races are a ‘complete con’ and should be made for rookies coming through

Speaking on the Formula For Success Podcast with David Coulthard, the former F1 team owner labelled Sprints as ‘absolutely shambolic’ and ‘do nothing; for the championship.

A key reason for the criticism towards these races are down to the points system, with points behind handed out the top eight in a sliding scale of 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.

Subsequently, this creates very little opportunity for drivers to pull a gap, or in Norris’ case, close the gap enough to their rivals so they can challenge them properly in a Grand Prix.

For Jordan, the Sprint races should be made only for the rookies coming into the sport, as it does very little for the main drivers.

Discussing the overall format of F1 race weekends with Coulthard, he said: “David, you haven’t mentioned the Sprint races, which for me, are a complete con. A complete sham, do nothing for me and I haven’t seen a decent one yet.

“I think it’s time we, we’ve had it, we’ve seen it. Make sure those Sprint races are for the rookies coming through. But for the main drivers, absolutely shambolic.”

Four rookies have been confirmed on the grid for 2025

It is hard to imagine that Jordan’s idea for Sprint races would not be welcomed by some fans and even other pundits, as it would give rookies another opportunity to showcase their skills and give teams the chance to assess their drivers for a future seat.

It seems like no better time than the present given that four rookies have been confirmed on the grid for the 2025 season, with more anticipated to join later in the year.

READ MORE: F1 2025 driver line-up with every team’s confirmed entry for the grid

Oliver Bearman will join Haas next season in a full-time seat after making three appearances – one with Ferrari, two with Haas – in 2024. His F2 teammate Kimi Antonelli will come in as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes.

Jack Doohan will join Alpine while F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto has signed with Sauber in a deal that sees him become an Audi driver in 2026.

Liam Lawson could add his name to that list if he is signed by Visa Cash App RB or indeed Red Bull. If the Kiwi driver is afford a chance with the latter if Sergio Perez is sacked, it could open the door for Franco Colapinto or Isack Hadjar to land a seat in F1.