Following a fairly processional Sprint at COTA, Christian Horner believes the format needs something that will force drivers to "go for it".

Having spent the build-up telling viewers what a treat they were in for, with numerous teams and drivers in with a chance of victory, the Sky team was left with egg on its face when the 19-lap event was essentially decided at the first corner and tyre degradation meaning few were willing to take any subsequent risks.

While his driver won, thereby extending his championship lead over his closest rival, teammate Sergio Perez, to 213 points, Christian Horner believes the format needs some serious tweaking.

"I think you've got to add a bit more jeopardy," he said. "Whether you reverse the top ten or something with it... but then you've got to add enough points to it to make it worth it for the drivers' while to really go for it.

"We're in a process where we need to be open to change and evolution," he added. "I think the execution, we can do a better job in it, making it more exciting for the viewer."

Race winner Verstappen, never a fan of the Sprint, remains unconvinced, even though it was in the recent Qatar Sprint that he sealed his third title.

Reflecting on the 19-lap race, he believes that - in terms of strategy and tyre wear - it was like a movie trailer that gives away too much of the plot.

"I don't really get excited by it," he admitted. "Like now, we've done this race, everyone more or less knows what's going to happen tomorrow between all the cars in terms of pace, so takes a bit the excitement away from it if you wouldn't have done today.

"We only had qualifying that you had yesterday," he added, "you don't really know what's going to happen before the race. So everyone is very excited turning on the TV because you don't know. Now we know a little bit.

"I would just be disappointed because you more or less know that the picture, if nothing crazy happens, you know what's going to happen tomorrow. So I find that takes away that magic."

"The concept of the Sprint is still good," insisted Horner. "It could be that it's an opportunity to do something a bit different, and I think that there's still some more that we could do.

"I don't know whether you found that an entertaining race but I think if you were to have more points potentially available, if you were to reverse the top ten or something. I don't know. It needs some thought to tune it up."

Check out our Sunday gallery from COTA here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 23/10/2023 10:27

"Horner makes no sens, just offers another suggestion to "spice up", rather than improve. When Newey defects and\or RBR produces a dog & no longer competes, he'll fit in really when he leaves to join Liberty."

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2. Posted by kenji, 23/10/2023 3:52

"@KKK...I've used Pirellis on all my cars from time to time and they produce excellent road tyres. Tyres for F1 are produced to comply with a specific requirement laid down by the FIA/FOM...."

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3. Posted by KKK, 22/10/2023 19:33

"#habentsen I totally agree with you, but why not just have one tyre that will last the whole race ? I now wouldnt buy a Pirelli for my car because I would fear they just wouldnt last. Its supposed to the pinnacle of Motor Racing, a tyre that lasts 72 miles...."

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4. Posted by KKK, 22/10/2023 19:27

"The answer is much simpler than you think....just stop the useless "sprints""

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5. Posted by estoril85, 22/10/2023 19:26

"I don't like the sprints at all, firstly , they mess up qualifying and turn it into a sideshow on a Friday evening and secondly I agree with Max that it takes away from the actual race and mostly is just a procession.

I would prefer qualifying back to what it traditionally was, with a session on a Friday and a session on a Saturday, with the best times counting or maybe tweak it so theres an hour of free quali on a Friday followed by a 30 minute free quali on a Saturday , with the top 12 having a 30 minute shoot out for pole.

It would be nice to see a modern version of procar on a saturday with all the drivers in an identical road car, maybe something electric by a non F1 brand to avoid contract clashes etc but that could be a bit difficult with driver contracts etc.

Maybe the F1 acadamy will fill the gap with a good Saturday race , now the teams are going to be running a car in their colours. There are some great female racers out there and if promoted properly would be a much better addition to the race weekend overall than the sprints."

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6. Posted by Superbird70, 22/10/2023 18:19

"Horner is trying to deflect all the talk of reigning Red Bull in by giving a few crumbs to those that have lost the plot. Lose the sprints so that the teams can focus on the actual race. Red Bull is winning on merit and some teams won't accept it."

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7. Posted by Anthony, 22/10/2023 17:35

"I agree with @F1nerd that the best idea is to scrap the sprint races. "

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8. Posted by rambler, 22/10/2023 15:10

"What BS, and he knows it! No driver will take too many chances because: (1) if their car is damaged it has to be repaired. (2) The car could be written off. (3) The cost cap. (4) They have been told not to!

The event is to justify the ridiculous cost of the Saturday ticket which inflates Liberty Media profits.
"

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9. Posted by kenji, 22/10/2023 14:47

"I like sprints but not the one I watched today. Horner is quite correct...the concept needs to be better thought through."

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10. Posted by F1nerd, 22/10/2023 14:03

"The best idea would be to cancel the sprint and get back to the 3 practice sessions and qualifying."

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11. Posted by habentsen, 22/10/2023 12:52

"Let's face it, current generation Pirelli tires are not very good, but it's not Pirellis fault, they deliver what's requested in their contract. One of the things that worked really well in Qatar was mandatory tyre stops, I would like to see more of that.

So, give each team three sets extra of the softest compound tyre and have two mandatory pitstops in the sprint.
Or make sprint tires that can last the distance without degrading."

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Sprints need more jeopardy, claims Horner

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