Will F1 23 have sprint races? That's the question that a lot of Formula 1 fans are wondering right now.
Given the new weekend format introduced for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, F1 gamers are now asking whether this will be reflected in F1 23.
However, the rushed nature of this announcement means that Codemasters may not have enough time to adapt their video game to match this. We've got everything you need to know about Sprint races in F1 23 right here!
Latest news - F1 23 announced but no update on sprint races
F1 23 has finally been announced. While we have details about the release date, the return of Braking Point, and handling improvements, Codemasters is staying silent about sprint races for now.
This suggests the updated sprint race format will not be in F1 23 at launch but may be added in a future update.
Will F1 23 have sprint races?
Sprint races have been a controversial addition to the Formula 1 weekend. F1 introduced the Sprint into three Grands Prix in 2021, something which continued in 2022.
However, these have now been expanded for 2023, with six Grands Prix having Sprints during race weekends. Ahead of the first Sprint of the 2023 season, F1 announced changes to the race weekend.
Previously, Friday's qualifying decided the grid for the Sprint and the finishing order of the Sprint determined the race starting order on Sunday. Now though, Friday qualifying dictates the race starting order on Sunday.
A Sprint Shootout will instead set the grid for the Sprint, with the results of the Sprint not having any effect on the rest of the weekend. The new Sprint format only has one free practice session compared to the two we had previously.
F1 22 and 23 Sprints
The F1 22 video game accurately reflected the Sprint races we saw in real life. The three Sprint events at Imola, Austria and Sao Paulo are all in the game and at the correct one-third distance.
However, with around two to three months to go until we expect F1 23 to be released, is this enough time for developer Codemasters to react?
It seems not. The F1 23 announcement hasn't produced any information regarding Sprints. Codemasters shared details about the return of Braking Point, handling improvements, and new circuits, but there was no mention of Sprint Races.
It's entirely possible, then that Codies will omit the Sprints when F1 23 launches in June. If the Sprints are in the old format from 2022, then they can't be in the game, as it doesn't accurately depict the current system.
With similar issues in the past, Codemasters have tended to not include features rather than release them half-baked.
However, a post-launch patch could and should change this, as we've seen with the likes of the current Formula 2 season in recent games.
2023 Sprint Races
If you're unaware of the points allocated for Sprints in 2023, they're awarded for finishing in the top eight places. The amounts are 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 with no bonus point awarded for the fastest lap.
The races in Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, the USA and Brazil will be the F1 23 circuits which get the Sprint treatment in 2023.
F1 23 release date
F1 23 releases on 16 June on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via EA App, Epic Games Store, and Steam. That's a few weeks earlier than players arere used to, with previous F1 games releasing in late June or early July.
Those who pre-order the Champions Editions will get access three days earlier on 13 June.