Martin Brundle explains what changes to sprint races he expects to see in 2024

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Sprint races don’t appear to be going anywhere in 2024 and Martin Brundle has shared what changes he expects to see in the format going forward.

Brundle was commentating on the final shortened race of the season in Brazil as Max Verstappen raced off into the distance once again.

For two races on the bounce, Verstappen has taken the lead going into the first corner.

Unlike in Mexico where he had to find a way past both Ferraris, his superior start yesterday made sure he had the inside line going into turn one giving him the advantage over a very quick Lando Norris.

There was plenty of action behind the Dutchman as the Mercedes struggled with their race pace and AlphaTauri’s drivers put in two impressive performances.

Yuki Tsunoda’s sixth-place finish was the standout result and has helped close the gap to Williams in the Constructors’ Championship.

However, Martin Brundle believes that we’ll see some changes to the format of sprint races going into 2024.

There have been some fantastic races on Saturday afternoons this season, but the flow of the weekend feels disjointed.

Formula 1 appears keen to make them a more regular occurrence but there are definitely ways to improve the offering next year.

Brundle on changes to sprint races in 2024

Speaking during the 19-lap event at Interlagos on Sky Sports F1, Brundle said: “So, the last Sprint [Race] of the year, as you say there’s a lot of ideas around about how to tweak this for next year.

“And the Formula 1 Commission are the final arbiters of what might get changed for next year.

“But I’d be pretty sure that qualifying for the main race moves back to Saturday afternoon.”

Currently, qualifying for Sunday’s race takes place on Friday afternoon after the only practice session of the weekend.

Drivers then take part in the Sprint Shootout on Saturday morning before the sprint race later that day.

The gap between Friday’s qualifying session and the final race doesn’t appear to make a huge amount of sense right now.

Brundle’s suggestion that the format for weekends with sprint races with change in 2024 isn’t too surprising.

There are certainly ways to make them more exciting too, such as the suggestion of reverse grids and a separate championship altogether.