Formula 2 did not swap the sprint and feature race order in the way you describe. The current format still has the sprint race first on Saturday and the feature race second on Sunday, with the sprint using the top-10 reverse- grid system and the feature race based on qualifying.

What changed

What likely changed is the terminology or your memory of the schedule , not the race order itself. In F2’s modern format, qualifying sets the feature- race grid, and the sprint is a shorter race with a reversed top-10 grid derived from qualifying results.

Why it works this way

The logic is to give drivers two different kinds of races in one weekend: one rewards outright qualifying pace, the other creates more overtaking and strategy with a reverse grid. That structure is designed to make the weekend more competitive and to give teams and fans a mix of pure pace and racecraft.

Practical takeaway

So if you saw “sprint first, feature second,” that is the standard Formula 2 weekend order, not a swap. If you meant a specific older season or a particular event format, name the round and I can pin down whether that weekend had any special scheduling change.