F1 | Parade lap and wreaths to celebrate sprint race top three
F1 to bring back classic celebration at the British Grand Prix for Saturday’s first sprint qualifying
New format and new celebrations for F1 in Silverstone in an attempt of blending past and present together.
This weekend the circuit will be the first in F1 to host a sprint race which will determine the starting order for the actual race. Drivers will be out on track on Friday for a 60 minutes free practice session followed by the usual Q1, Q2 and Q3 qualifying format that will set the grid for the sprint race.
On Saturday morning there will be a second and final free practice session and in the afternoon engines will be running around Silverstone for the 17 laps of the sprint qualifying.
Don't miss the first ever F1 Sprint!
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2021
📍 Silverstone Circuit
📅 Saturday July 17
⏰ 15:30 UTC#BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1Sprint
The top three finishers will be awarded 3, 2 and 1 point respectively, but there won’t be a podium ceremony. Instead of stepping on the podium, the drivers will take part in a parade lap around the circuit in front of 100.000 fans.
“F1 Sprint is a brand-new and exciting format, so we felt it was important to come up with a post-race moment that was equally special,” explained Alex Molina, F1’s Director of Event Spectacle to Formula1.com.
“The moment recognises the seven decades of history in the sport and combines it with a modern twist – very similar to the Sprint itself.”
The victory parade is not the only vintage trait, as F1 is also bringing back celebrative wreaths. At the end of Saturday’s sprint race 1st, 2nd and 3rd fastest will be presented with “uniquely designed wreaths”, just like podium finishers back in the day were given laurel wreaths.
