Formula 1 makes changes to sprint weekends, DRS usage and more

Formula 1 is tweaking some of its rules for the upcoming 2024 season.

The sprint race format is back for the 2024 Formula 1 season, but it’ll look a little bit different this time around.

Formula 1 is making a number of small tweaks for the 2024 season, per Chris Medland of RACER. Among them include changes to Formula 1’s sprint format, the amount of power units allotted per F1 driver and when the cars’ Drag Reduction System is allowed to be activated on race day.

The first big change comes to the sprint race format. Previously, a single practice would be held on Friday, and that would be followed by the qualifying for the regular race on Sunday — Saturday would then have sprint race qualifying and then the sprint race on Saturday. Now, sprint qualifying has been moved to Friday and the actual grand prix qualifying has been moved up to Saturday after the sprint race.

Additionally, there are two more technical rule changes. F1 is increasing the number of allotted power units per driver to four power units per driver for the next two years. Drivers were initially allowed just three, but 2023 saw a temporary change to four that has now become permanent for the next two seasons.

Finally, rules regarding F1’s DRS usage have been tweaked. Traditionally, DRS on the cars was allowed to be active after two laps of racing after a race start. That number has been decreased to one lap for 2024, meaning that drivers will have less time to build a one-second gap for the first laps of racing.

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