Formula 1 teams will vote on the introduction of Saturday sprint races at three Grands Prix in 2021 on Thursday.
In recent years, F1 has been pushing to vary the weekend format with three unsuccessful attempts at replacing qualifying with 30-minute races with the drivers lining up in reverse championship order.
Last week, however, new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed another bid would be made but with some key changes which are understood to be as follows:
- Qualifying pushed back to Friday afternoon to decide the sprint race grid
- Sprint race to take place over 1/3rd Grand Prix distance on Saturday
- Reduced points awarded to top eight drivers
- Sprint race result decides the grid for Sunday's GP
Reports have indicated the plan to be proposed in the F1 Commission meeting would see this format used at the Canadian, Italian and Brazilian Grand Prix's this season, three circuits known for produce lots of overtaking.
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Under new regulations for 2021, a 'supermajority' of 28 votes from 30 across the various members are needed to approve the change.
Then, if successful, the format could be used at more races starting from 2022.
