Max Verstappen has never hidden his dislike for the Sprint format. When F1 announced the expansion to ten Sprint weekends for the 2027 season, the Red Bull Racing driver once again voiced his opposition. For him, Saturday short races lack the emotional pull of a full grand prix.
F1's decision to increase the number of Sprints to ten in 2027 has sparked heated debate. Liberty Media hopes the format will liven up each weekend, but traditional fans see it as eroding the essence of racing. Moreover, for the first time, the legendary Monaco circuit will host a Sprint—a controversial move given the track's narrow, overtaking-unfriendly nature.
Verstappen spoke out in the Baku paddock. “Personally, I'm not a fan, but I understand the reasons behind it. For me, my focus is always on the Grand Prix. In Monaco, it will be the same scenario as the main race: everyone gets excited at the start and then you can't overtake. It's quite simple,” he said.
The Dutchman also stressed that he doesn't care where Sprints are held. “I don't care where the Sprints are. I race them and of course I try to do my best. But I don't feel any emotion in winning them. Since I was a child I couldn't wait for the race,” he added.
Besides Monaco, the 2027 Sprint races will be held in Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Canada, Silverstone, Monza, Brazil, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. However, the Middle East rounds remain at high risk due to the war in Iran. This geopolitical situation could force F1 to make sudden adjustments.
Verstappen's criticism is nothing new. Since the Sprint format was introduced in 2021, he has often called it a “lottery” that diminishes the value of the actual race. Nevertheless, he remains professional and always strives to perform at his best. Sergio Perez, his teammate, admitted that in the drivers' group chat, many cynical comments have emerged regarding the expansion.
Clearly, this decision will continue to draw both support and opposition. For Verstappen, the main race is everything. “I can't wait for the race,” he concluded. This statement underscores that for the world champion, true emotion only exists on Sunday.
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