Sprint races are popular among Formula 1 fans: 75% want them to stay on F1 calendar
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Liberty Media and the “bet” on F1 Sprints
Sprint races may not appeal to F1's most traditional fans, but the data backs Liberty Media's decision. The American entertainment giant, which acquired Formula 1 from CVC Capital Partners between 2016 and 2017, has heavily invested in the short Saturday races—introduced in 2021 with various rule changes to find a clear identity both sportingly and commercially—and it seems to have paid off. According to surveys cited by the reputable German magazine *Auto Motor und Sport*, all indicators for weekends with the new format show an increase in viewership and revenue compared to traditional race weekends.
Positive statistics
Sometimes the results are even surprising: according to the survey mentioned by the German publication, a significant 75% of fans want the F1 Sprint format to remain on the calendar. For now, Formula 1 chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali has kept the number of Sprint Races stable—they were three in 2021 and 2022 but increased to six per year in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (accounting for 25% of the total races). However, there are reasons to believe the number of races using this format could grow in the future.
These reasons are evidently supported by statistics reported by German magazine *Auto Motor und Sport*. Television viewership over the entire weekend rises by an average of 10%, with a record set this year for the Saturday sprint race in Miami. Additionally, there are increases in circuit attendance, particularly on Fridays, when Sprint Qualifying replaces the traditional second free practice session: on average, Fridays during F1 Sprint weekends see a 30% increase in track attendance compared to standard weekends.
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