Formula 1 has confirmed that it will continue to have track action across three days at each grand prix moving forward, though is poised to revise the format for Friday’s running.
Formula 1 chiefs have been evaluating whether to alter the timetable of a grand prix weekend, which currently has practice on Friday (Thursday in Monaco), final practice and qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday.
This is partly due to the expanding nature of the calendar, with a record-breaking 22 events set to be held next year, and the scope for further growth into the early-mid 2020s.
The discussion over the format of events was raised once more at Suzuka in the wake of Typhoon Hagibis, which resulted in Saturday’s action being cancelled, and leaving running taking place across only Friday and Sunday.
Formula 1’s sporting chief Ross Brawn has revealed that Formula 1 has settled on three-day weekends, though it remains unclear if the remodelled Friday format will begin in 2020 or 2021.
“The format is an aspect of the sport we have focused on in some detail as we work towards the rules that will govern Formula 1 over the coming years and we have taken into account the voices of all of the key players – the promoters, the teams and last but not least the fans,” said Brawn.
“I’ll be honest and say that there has been strong consensus, especially among the organisers, for maintaining the three-day format of track activity, although with a different timetable.
“It's true that a day like Sunday in Suzuka offers a great show in just a few hours but it would confine the feeder series races to the previous days.
“After careful analysis we have concluded that the best solution is to keep the event over three days, revising the Friday format but leaving the rest untouched, with qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday."
Brawn added that “in order to meet the demands of the teams and in order to slightly increase the number of Grands Prix, which will be at 22 next year, we have given consideration to reorganising the schedule so that teams and drivers can arrive a day later.”
Formula 1 drivers and teams currently arrive at events on Thursdays (Wednesdays in Monaco) in order to carry out media duties, some fan zone appearances, and track walks, though other members of the paddock, such as rigging crews, are at circuits several days in advance.
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