F1: Sprint format set to change in 2024, McLaren extend Mercedes engine deal to 2030

F1 is set to change its sprint format for 2024 after support from teams and stakeholders to make race weekends easier to follow.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Friday its Sporting Advisory Committee would present a final proposal to the F1 Commission in January.

"The Commission gave overall support for an update to the sprint format for 2024 to further rationalize the weekend by separating sprint activities from those for the Grand Prix," the FIA said in a statement.

"The final calendar for the 2024 sprint events will be published in the coming weeks."

Six of this year's 22 rounds were sprint weekends.

Teams have been discussing moving the qualifying "shootout" to Friday, with the 100km race then held on Saturday morning before qualifying for the main Sunday grand prix.

The current format has qualifying for the grand prix on Friday with sprint qualifying and standalone race filling Saturday's schedule.

Points could be awarded more widely for the sprint race, with a possible reverse grid element also under consideration.

The F1 Commission agreed to keep tire blankets through the 2025 season and approved updates to the technical regulations allowing increased driver cooling to be fitted to the car after the heat and humidity in Qatar caused driver safety concerns.

Also on Friday, it emerged that the McLaren F1 team will use Mercedes power units until at least 2030 after extending their existing deal into the sport's new engine era that starts in 2026, according to both parties.

McLaren, whose drivers are Britain's Lando Norris and Australian Oscar Piastri, are the first customer team to commit to the new Mercedes power unit alongside the works outfit.

"It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams," said Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff in a statement ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"This has many advantages: it gives a clear competitive benchmark, accelerates our technical learning, and strengthens the overall F1 business case for Mercedes-Benz."

McLaren are fourth in the constructors' championship, ahead of Aston Martin who will be switching from Mercedes to Honda engines in 2026.

Mercedes also power Williams but the new engine era will see the number of manufacturers increase from four at present – Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull/Honda – to a potential seven with Audi entering in 2026 and Red Bull starting a new partnership with Ford.

General Motors have formally registered with the governing FIA to provide power units for a proposed Andretti Cadillac team from 2028.

The new power units from 2026 will be 50 percent internal combustion and 50 percent electric, with a maximum output of more than 1,000 horsepower, and run on 100 percent sustainable fuel.

Former champions McLaren have used Mercedes engines since 2021 and were also partners with the German brand from 1995 to 2014.

"We have great confidence in Mercedes and our relationship with them," said McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.

"They've supported our journey back to the front of the grid so far, and the security and stability this partnership brings is vital in ensuring we remain on this upward trajectory."

(With input from agencies)