F1 | Gabriel Bortoleto warns that too many Sprint Races could put rookie drivers at risk
On the eve of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Gabriel Bortoleto spoke to the media, including GP-News.net, about one of the most debated topics in modern Formula 1: Sprint Races. The Brazilian driver acknowledged the excitement the format brings but also expressed some concerns.
“I think the current format isn’t bad. A Sprint now and then is fine; it livens up the weekend and offers more entertainment for the fans. The problem is when they become too frequent,” Gabriel Bortoleto explained.
Sprint Races could put rookies at a disadvantage
Bortoleto warned that pushing the number of Sprints too far could create real issues for young drivers: “I don’t know if I would ever go as far as 12 Sprints; that would already be a limit hard to sustain. With only one practice session, you don’t have time to properly set up the car, and you risk arriving at qualifying unprepared. For rookies, that would not be easy. I was lucky to join at a time when there are few Sprints, but for future debutants, adapting so quickly will be complicated.”
He also noted that Sprint Races could influence team decisions regarding young talent: “With so little time available, teams might think twice before investing in young drivers. This could reduce opportunities for rookies to get a chance in Formula 1, as teams will prefer drivers who can deliver immediate results.” – he pointed out ahead of the Baku race weekend.
The risk of losing the technical side of F1
While acknowledging that Sprint Races add excitement and make weekends more engaging for fans, Gabriel Bortoleto stressed the importance of preserving F1’s technical essence: “I like that with three practice sessions you can test new things, develop the car, and work on the details. With Sprints, there’s a risk of losing this aspect, which for me is one of the most fascinating parts of our sport.”
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