Franco Colapinto has had a steep learning curve since first debuting in Formula 1 in early September. The 21-year-old, however, has already impressed many top figures in the series.
He’ll have the opportunity on Saturday to further raise his profile when he debuts in the Sprint race format at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, a different race format that could help him shine even more.
What are F1 Sprint races?
Introduced by F1 in 2021, the Sprint race is a special type of race weekend that sees an additional, shorter race take place on Saturday, ahead of the qualifying for the main race.
These races are intended by the organizers as a “dash to the checkered flag,” with a run limited to 30 minutes and 100 kilometers. In comparison, a normal Grand Prix race requires 305 km of running.
The format removes pit stops — cars race on one fuel load and one set of tires — and places an emphasis on attacking drive styles. This is why the Sprint format is reserved for open tracks where there are plenty of overtaking opportunities.
While a regular Grand Prix would include two practice sessions on Friday plus an additional one on Saturday before qualifying, the alternative format sees a Sprint qualifying session that replaces the second Friday practice. The Sprint race itself takes place on Saturday ahead of the regular qualifying, and the full-length Grand Prix runs on Sunday as usual.
Teams and drivers score points for their respective championships in the Sprint; the winner takes eight points, descending to one point for the driver finishing eight.
Why could the Sprint format help Colapinto?
Despite participating in only three F1 Grand Prix, Colapinto has shown a knack for an aggressive drive. His overtake on Alpine’s French driver Pierre Gasly at Monza or his deep dive into turn one at Singapore show he’s not afraid of taking risks for track position.
Moreover, his defense of the ninth position in the Singapore GP, when he found himself under attack from one of F1’s most experienced drivers and on the best cars of the grid in Red Bull’s Checo Pérez, makes it clear he’s solid under pressure with a driver behind him.
Colapinto has also admitted he has an easier time running on soft tires, one of two composites teams can use. While drivers are mandated to run both sets of tires across a full Grand Prix, the Sprint can be completed with a single set of soft tires.
Austin’s race is one of three remaining Sprint races on the calendar, with the Brazil GP — from November 1 to 3 — and the Qatar GP — November 29 to December 1 — being the others.
At the U.S. Grand Prix, the Sprint qualifying is set to take place this Friday at 6:30 p.m. Argentina, with the race on Saturday at 3 p.m. ahead of the qualifying at 7 p.m. The Grand Prix will start on Sunday at 4 p.m.