Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar has voiced strong disapproval regarding the growing number of Sprint races on the Formula 1 calendar, calling the format disappointing and heavily reliant on fortune following a bruising Singapore Grand Prix weekend.
The weekend at Marina Bay proved to be an uphill battle for the young Frenchman as he wrestled with his RB22 machine. From excessive bottoming during the sole Free Practice session to power unit failures, the technical gremlins heavily compromised his ability to extract performance, culminating in a Sprint retirement and a modest 10th-place finish in the Grand Prix.
The fundamental issue with the Sprint weekend format lies in the severely restricted practice time, which prevents engineers and drivers from gathering essential telemetry and adjusting car setups adequately. Hadjar argued that this restriction strips away the technical groundwork required to master the machinery.
“That’s the problem with these weekends where you don’t get to work on the car,” Hadjar explained after qualifying. “Like, it’s impossible. You just kind of need to get lucky. There’s no work,” he continued, emphasizing the frustration of being unable to properly test upgrades or fixes.
While F1 management insists that Sprints elevate entertainment value for television audiences, drivers remain skeptical, particularly with the 2027 season slated to feature 10 Sprint events, including a controversial inclusion at the tight and twisty streets of Monaco where overtaking is historically nearly impossible.
“I don’t know who makes these decisions. Next year, we have a sprint race in Monaco. How in the world do you think that’s going to happen? What do you think is going to happen? Do you think it’s going to be overtakes?” Hadjar questioned critically, highlighting the absurdity of hosting such a format at a venue devoid of passing opportunities.
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