FIA wanted to do "homework" on sprint expansion

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed the FIA wanted to do "homework" before agreeing to an expansion from three to six sprint events from 2023.

All 10 teams unanimously voted to increase the number of sprint events on the calendar for 2023 but the FIA prevented the move at a recent F1 Commission meeting.

Whilst this was seen as a block by the FIA, Brown is convinced the decision to delay was purely a desire to gather further information before committing to the expansion.

"We tried to get six sprint races off last year, which obviously didn't happen for this year," explained Brown.

"I think all the teams voted in favour of the six sprint races, now that we've seen the data, which tells us it does create more fan awareness.

"And that's what I think is most important in growing the sport, is how do our fans respond when we try new activities?

"Mohammed [Ben Sulayem, FIA president] voiced he just wanted to do some more homework.

"I think maybe the FIA and Formula 1 in a forum like that, maybe should align on whatever position they have prior to those meetings, but I'm sure it'll be sorted out."

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff added that any decision made must be properly scrutinised first.

He said: "I'm sure that between Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO] and Mohammed, we're going to come to a resolution.

"For Mohammed, it was important to hear the FIA’s members’ opinion, and he wasn't against it, just that he needed more time for that decision."

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