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Formula One has confirmed it will hold three “sprint qualifying” races this season. The concept of running a short race to decide the grid for grands prix rather than traditional qualifying has been under discussion for some time but was finally approved by a vote of the F1 commission on Monday and supported unanimously. The sprint races are expected to be staged before the British GP at Silverstone, the Italian GP at Monza and the Brazilian GP at Interlagos. These venues have yet to be confirmed, however.