.So now, yet another step would be taken to improve sprint races. In this new format, sprint races would be separate from the regular race. Saturday would then be entirely dedicated to the sprint race: qualifying in the morning, and then the sprint race in the afternoon. However, the result of the sprint race will no longer affect the starting grid for Sunday's race. Instead, this starting grid will be determined by a traditional qualifying session, which will then be held on Friday afternoon. This way, drivers would have more room to duel in the sprint, as it would not negatively affect the race on Sunday. The first weekend using this format would be the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as that is the first time a sprint race will be held this season.