Formula 1 drivers have spoken in favour of reducing the length of race weekends, in the aftermath of the truncated Japanese Grand Prix.
The arrival of Typhoon Hagibis in Japan prompted the FIA to cancel all of Saturday’s track action, with the circuit closed for Formula 1 teams, drivers, media and spectators.
It led to the abandonment of the 60-minute third practice session, usually held on Saturday lunchtime, while qualifying was shifted to Sunday morning, a few hours prior to the race.
Formula 1 chiefs have been exploring whether to alter the structure of an event, in light of an expanding calendar, but have opted against radical changes.
Grand Prix promoters have been concerned that shortening a race weekend would have a negative financial impact, though moves are underway to alter Friday’s schedule.
But drivers say the reduced weekend length would be well-received.
“I enjoyed it,” said Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo. “Sundays are long for us. We still get here early. There are meetings, there media stuff, it is still a long day with only a little bit of driving.
“The hours were the same but we had a whole another session – not for me but for everyone else. I enjoyed it.
“If they are looking to add more races to the calendar, shorter race weekends are more than fine.”
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen commented: “It’s been a really fun day, very interesting and very intense. I’d love to see this be the way forward in the future.”
McLaren driver Carlos Sainz Jr. added: “It’s a bit tougher physically because qualifying laps nowadays are really tough also, and a 53-lap race, but I held on pretty well. It’s nice because you get to drive more during the day.”
2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen concurred, commenting: “Otherwise Sundays are more about waiting, so as long as there are no issues with the car it’s OK. Obviously if there’s a big issue, there’s limited time to fix it.
When it was put to Raikkonen that a condensed schedule would mean fewer media commitments he wryly remarked: “Oh, there are always some, unfortunately. They always find a way…”
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