Motor racing-Silverstone will be first circuit to trial sprint qualifying

LONDON: Silverstone will be the first circuit to trial Formula One's new sprint qualifying format, the British Grand Prix venue said on Wednesday.

The sport confirmed this week that teams and bosses had agreed unanimously to debut a new points-scoring qualifying race at three grands prix, yet to be confirmed, this season.

"We are incredibly excited that Silverstone fans will be the first to experience the Formula One sprint qualifying format at this year’s British Grand Prix," said the circuit's managing director Stuart Pringle in a statement.

"The Friday and Saturday crowds at Silverstone are arguably the largest on the F1 calendar and, following the live events drought of 2020, this year will be no exception," he added.

Pringle said tickets for Sunday were already nearly sold out.

The British Grand Prix took place without spectators last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but organisers are hoping to welcome back crowds for the July 18 race.

Under the new format, a qualifying session will be held after the first Friday practice to determine the grid for a sprint race on Saturday.

The finishing order of the sprint -- which at 100km will be about a third of a normal race distance and last about half an hour without mandatory pit stops -- will determine Sunday's starting grid.