F1 confirm six tracks to host sprint races in 2023 as Spa-Francorchamps and Austin added to list

F1 bosses have announced the venues for the six sprint races for the 2023 season.

Three sprints were held in 2022 in Imola, Austria and Brazil with that number doubled for next season.

Austria’s Red Bull Ring and Brazil’s Interlagos circuit will again host sprints along with Baku in Azerbaijan, Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps and Qatar.

The shortened versions of the races run on the Saturdays of a race weekend have had a mixed response from drivers, some of them unhappy that it is linked to qualifying for Sunday’s main event.

Some have been pushing for the sprint races to be standalone races but the plan is currently to keep the format as it is for 2023.

However, talks are ongoing about the possibility of revamping that format for the following season.

Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali: "We have seen a hugely positive reaction to the F1 Sprint events during the first two years of its running, and we can’t wait to bring even more action to fans with six events next year, including our first US F1 Sprint in Austin.

“The introduction of the F1 Sprint has created a race weekend that includes three days of competitive racing action and brings more entertainment to fans of the sport as well as additional value for key stakeholders including teams, broadcasters, partners, and host venues.”

World champion Max Verstappen won the opening two sprint races in Imola and Austria before George Russell held off the Dutchman to halt a hat-trick at Interlagos.