The F1 Sprint format returned for a second year in 2022, however, with a few tweaks this time around including a new points system as well as a couple of new track locations. There’s much more at stake with points being awarded to the top eight drivers this season. To sum it up – a 100 km dash, no mandatory pit stops, and drivers racing flat-out to the chequered flag.
Take a look at how the first Sprint race of the season went down at the Imola circuit in Italy –
After leading the rainy qualifying session yesterday, Max Verstappen managed to bring home the Sprint race as well, with a sensational overtake to take the lead in the 20th lap. The Red Bull driver scored maximum points at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Sprint, followed by Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari, who finished +2.975 seconds behind after giving out the lead in the dying moments.
“It’s still a front row start, we struggled with the tyres at the end, we need to analyse that. We will work and come back strong tomorrow. Every time we are in Italy we have so much support, it’s amazing,” said the Monegasque.

Sergio Perez completed the podium position, bringing 6 points to the team. On fourth came Carlos Sainz, followed by Lando Norris in fifth, Daniel Ricciardo in sixth, Valtteri Bottas seventh, and Kevin Magnussen taking the eighth spot – grabbing the last point on offer today. Fernando Alonso and Mick Schumacer will start tomorrow’s main race in the ninth and tenth positions respectively.
While George Russell led today’s final Free Practice session ahead of the Sprint, the young Merecedes driver had a disappointing 21-lap Sprint. However, he still managed to outperform his veteran teammate – Lewis Hamilton, who has seen a massive dip in form, and starts tomorrow’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix from the 14th spot. The two Mercedes drivers were separated by Yuki Tsunoda and Sebastian Vettel in 12th and 13th respectively.
Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, Nicholas Latifi, and Zhou Guanyu take the last five spots in tomorrow’s race, in the same order. Stay tuned to this space for tomorrow’s 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix race report.