I watched the qualifications highlights and saw what happened with Perez. So, I thought the qualifications were for the start position in the sprint. Obviously not since he started front row. And now that the sprint is over, and I see the lineup for the race, perez is starting 15th. I thought the sprint was used to determine the start positions for the race. How were the start positions determined for the sprint? What is the purpose of the sprint if it doesn’t determine the start positions for the race?
New sprint format. Qualifying for Sunday race on Friday. Sprint qualifying and sprint on Saturday. Does not affect the race. Essentially 2 races in one
That was the old sprint format. Since this year sprint + sprint shootout is separate. Quali for race was on Friday, sprint shootout (quali) and race on Saturday. Sprint is just for scoring additional points.
The sprint shootout determines the starting grid for the sprint, basically a quali for the sprint that takes place same day.
So my understanding is that it’s FP1 and GP Qual Friday. Sprint shootout and sprint Saturday, then GP Sunday. So the sprint is a totally independent entity from the GP that just provides more points to be won.
You were not alone. I was also confused.
