Sprint Race Format Won't Change

In last weekend's 18-lap sprint race, the order of the top 15 didn't change after the cars had completed the first lap.

Many drivers said they would not risk making a passing move because the finishing order from the sprint race determined where they would start the cash-earning feature race. That race drew widespread praise for being an entertaining encounter, with Team Brazil's Nelson Piquet Jr passing Team Australia's Will Power around the outside of Surtees corner for the lead.

Maktoum has promised to stick with the current format for the foreseeable future, saying that drivers and teams were being cautious in the sprint race at Brands Hatch because it was the maiden race.

"This is the first race and the teams were being conservative," Maktoum said. "Let's wait and see how it pans out. The teams are still figuring out their strategies.

"With regards to spicing it up, I'll get some chilli. Nothing in life is perfect, but we'll stick to the same format.

"It has been very positive and encouraging and in the feature race I was glued to the TV screen just like everybody else. And truly I was quite, quite pleased with it. It was nerve-wracking, adrenaline-filled, testosterone driven action and that's what it is all about. All the guys were pumped up and it is a moment in history."