Isack Hadjar Criticizes Formula 1 Sprint Formats
The 22-year-old driver says limited practice time hinders car setup and preparation.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Motorsports
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Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar has spoken out against the sprint race format, arguing that the restricted practice schedule prevents teams from refining vehicle performance. His comments arrive as officials plan to expand the number of sprint weekends in upcoming seasons.
Why it matters
Hadjar contends that the current sprint structure fails to reward thorough team preparation, leaving little room to address technical mechanical issues during the weekend. The debate highlights ongoing tensions regarding how limited practice sessions affect the ability of teams to optimize car setups.
Isack Hadjar recorded a gap of seven tenths compared to Max Verstappen in Free Practice 1 and finished 10th in the Singapore Grand Prix. The number of sprint race weekends will scale from six in 2026 to 10 in 2027, including a new event in Monaco.
The players
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar is a 22-year-old professional racing driver who competes in Formula 1.
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen is a multi-time Formula 1 World Champion who currently races for Red Bull Racing.
The details
Hadjar experienced multiple mechanical failures, including power unit issues during the sprint race, engine problems in sprint qualifying, and a broken fourth gear during main qualifying. He argues that the single practice session format is insufficient for resolving these types of performance-limiting technical faults.
Timeline
2026: Formula 1 features six sprint race weekends.
2027: The number of sprint race weekends increases to 10.
Season Trajectory
The shift toward more sprint weekends signals a move to maximize fan engagement through increased competitive intensity. This evolution forces teams to adapt to compressed development cycles that could alter the historical competitive balance of the championship.
Fans should anticipate more frequent format changes on the race calendar, including the addition of a sprint event in Monaco starting in 2027. The limited practice window means teams have significantly less time to correct mechanical issues, which could increase the likelihood of unexpected results.
The takeaway
The criticism from Isack Hadjar highlights a fundamental friction between racing spectacle and technical preparation in modern Formula 1. Fans and analysts alike are tracking how this balance will shift as the sport moves toward a 10-sprint calendar in 2027.
Further reading
For more on the current grid developments, visit the Motorsports section.
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