Esteban Ocon suggests an exciting rule change that would ‘spice up’ Formula 1 without more Sprints

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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has opened the door to increasing the number of Sprint events on the calendar, but Esteban Ocon has another idea to “spice up” the show.

Ocon has seen every version of the F1 Sprint format that Formula 1 has to date tried since it introduced the 100km event to the calendar in 2021. The Sprint was initially designed to set the grid for the Grand Prix, before F1 moved to two separate qualifying sessions from 2023.

F1 also increased the number of Sprints from three a year to six since 2023, but Domenicali is now open to increasing that number further from 2027. Domenicali has also claimed that “aside from some older die-hard fans, everyone wants Sprint weekends” instead of practice.

It is possible that the F1 calendar will feature as many as 10 Sprints per year from 2027, with Domenicali considering how to improve F1. But some of his ideas have drawn criticism from drivers, with Fernando Alonso opposing Domenicali’s idea to reduce the Grand Prix distance.

Esteban Ocon thinks F1 should explore changing the qualifying rules to ‘spice up’ the show

Haas driver Ocon would firmly oppose any attempt to increase the number of Sprints on the F1 calendar to mirror MotoGP, which has staged Sprint Races at each of its Grands Prix since the two-wheel series introduced the shortened distance events to its championship in 2023.

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But Ocon is not opposed to changing the F1 weekend format, and thinks Domenicali should consider changing the qualifying rules. The current three-stage elimination system has been in place since 2006, bar some minor tweaks over the years mostly due to banning refuelling.

F1 introduced the three-stage elimination system with Q1, Q2 and Q3 to replace the one-lap showdown format used between 2003 and 2005. But Ocon feels reviving one-lap qualifying showdowns would “spice up” the show by putting F1 teams under “a bit of pressure” again.

Ocon said, via quotes by Automoto.it: “It could spice up the weekend, but it would depend a lot on who has a good simulator and has done their homework.

“Every now and then, it would be interesting, like a super pole, like in the past when we only had one chance, but with previous tests. It would put a bit of pressure on the teams, and that would be positive.”

Esteban Ocon warns F1 that holding Sprints at every race like MotoGP would be ‘extreme’

F1 used three different one-lap showdown formats over the three years that qualifying was decided with single-lap attempts. The format was not a perfect option, and the three-stage system introduced in 2006 has remained in place owing to the variation that it can produce.

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But Domenicali and Formula 1 are always looking for ways to further improve the show and appeal to a wider (and younger) audience. Hence, the potential of increasing the number of Sprints on the calendar starting in 2027 from the current maximum of six to, potentially, 10.

But Ocon feels there must be a limit on the number of Sprints, as F1 matching MotoGP with one every race would be “extreme”. The 28-year-old also thinks having too many Sprints on the schedule could risk further diluting the Grand Prix, as they are a taster for the main race.

Ocon added: “Switching to a MotoGP-style would be a bit extreme. Having a Sprint at every race, I don’t think would necessarily improve the spectacle. As a fan, what you want is to see more racing.

“We live in a consumer world where we seek out content more often, like when we watch a series on Netflix and don’t want to wait too long between seasons. But at the same time, sometimes it’s nice to wait patiently and enjoy the Grand Prix.

“That’s an important thing, and I’m more of a supporter of that philosophy. I like to wait a bit to get excited again when the race arrives.”