Sprint race causes schedule changes at Austrian Grand Prix

4 July 2022 at 10:15

Last update 4 July 2022 at 11:21

GPblog.com

We return to European times for the Austrian Grand Prix. So it's a familiar schedule for the race weekend at the Red Bull Ring, although there are a few adjustments here and there due to the sprint race format.

In 2021, Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos were the three circuits where F1 Sprint was tested over the weekend and this format will be used again in 2022. In Austria, the alternative format will be used for the second time this season, after Imola. As a result, the schedule looks a little different than usual.

Sprint race format in Austria

The first free practice session starts on Friday at 12:30pm, which is the only time that the F1 drivers can fine-tune their setup for qualifying. That follows the same day at 4pm. In this case, qualifying does not determine the starting order of the race on Sunday, but the starting order for the F1 Sprint on Saturday.

For that Sprint race, there is first a second free practice at 11:30am on Saturday. However, due to Parc Fermé, teams can hardly make any adjustments to the car and this session is therefore rarely used. The Sprint starts at 3:30pm. The result of the Sprint determines the starting order for the Grand Prix on Sunday which starts at 2pm.

Timetable of the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix

Friday

First free practice: 12:30-13:30pm

Qualifying: 4-5pm

Saturday

Second free practice: 11:30am-12:30pm

Sprint: 3:30-4:30pm

Sunday

Race: 2-4pm