Bernie Ecclestone has called for a major shake-up to a grand prix weekend in order to appeal to younger fans with shorter attention spans.
The Formula 1 supremo suggests keeping Friday and Saturday the same, but splitting Sunday's race into two 40-minute sprint races, whereby qualifying decides the grid for the first race and the second is determined by the finishing position from race one.
According to the 86-year-old, such a proposal would not only attract more fans to the sport, but also appeal to broadcasters and sponsors at a time when viewing figures are dropping.
"People have a much shorter attention span and a lot of sports are looking at introducing shorter forms of their games," Ecclestone said in an interview with The Sunday Times.
"We need to look at the traditional concept of one long race. Two 40-minute races with a 40-minute break in the middle when the drivers could be interviewed, cars worked on, would be attractive to viewers, the TV companies, the sponsors, and advertisers would love it," he explained.
"Cars would qualify on a Saturday as usual for the first race and that would set the grid for the second. It would shake things up with lighter, faster cars."
A format shake-up is something new owners Liberty Media are believed to be considering as they look to increase the sport's popularity and therefore profits, but Ecclestone says the biggest barrier to change is the confidence to push forward given the sport's history.
"I don't know if we have the courage to change. Times change though and it is something we must look at."
