Method 1’s weekend format: Drivers, followers and Martin Brundle debate Stefano Domenicali’s plans

Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen and F1 president Stefano Domenicali have completely different views over the game’s format

Stefano Domenicali desires to revolutionise Method 1’s weekend format, sparking a debate so fierce that world champion Max Verstappen has threatened to stop the game over the problem.

The Method 1 president mentioned earlier than the Australian Grand Prix that he’s a “supporter of the cancellation of free observe classes”, including that observe was one thing the general public “does not like” and hinting at extra dash weekends sooner or later.

Domenicali then confirmed in an interview with Sky Sports activities F1 that he’s not trying to fully abandon all observe classes, however says it might be “fallacious” to not think about adjustments to the prevailing format.

Dash weekends have been launched in 2021, altering the format of among the races by transferring the qualifying occasion to Friday and giving followers a shorter race on Saturdays to determine the beginning order for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

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Method 1 chief Stefano Domenicali discusses the opportunity of scrapping observe

This trial was successful, resulting in extra dash weekends in 2022 and 2023 – however might observe be the following a part of the Method 1 weekend to be tweaked?

“After all, there must be the time for observe, however the individuals are coming to see efficiency and the extra that you just give the groups and drivers the possibility to see who they’re, the higher it’s for the present,” Domenicali advised Sky Sports activities.

“It is not as a result of we do not respect the traditions, we respect the previous mind-set of our weekend, however it might be fallacious not to consider it.

“We even have a brand new technology which can be coming in which can be extra aggressive in asking for one thing completely different.”

What are the proposed plans for dash weekends?

Most F1 weekends see three observe classes – two on Friday and an extra one on Saturday morning – forward of Qualifying and the normal Sunday race.

It’s understood that the popular new format would contain only one observe session. There would then be two qualifying classes, a dash and a Grand Prix.

Damaged down, this is able to see the next schedule play out:

Friday:

AM – Follow

PM – Qualifying for the Grand Prix on Sunday

Saturday:

AM – One-lap qualifying for the dash race

PM – Dash

Sunday:

A superb old style Grand Prix

Might Verstappen stroll away over F1 weekend adjustments?

Max Verstappen has urged he might stroll away from Method 1 if the weekend format continues to accentuate

Whereas these plans are but to be confirmed, the drivers have shared their opinions on the thought.

Extremely, Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen has urged he “will not be round for too lengthy” if extra dash races come into the F1 weekend.

“Even for those who change the format, I do not discover that’s within the DNA of Method 1 to do these form of dash races,” he mentioned.

“I hope there will not be too many adjustments, in any other case I will not be round for too lengthy.

“I’m not a fan of it in any respect. After we do all that form of stuff, the weekend turns into very intense and we already do lots of races. However it isn’t the correct option to go about it.

“I perceive that they need to have each day thrilling, however then I feel it is higher to simply scale back the weekend – solely race the Saturday and Sunday.

“And for those who begin including much more stuff, it is not value it for me. I am not having fun with that.”

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Sky F1’s David Croft questions whether or not Crimson Bull’s dominant begin to the season is dangerous for the game

Mercedes’ George Russell, who gained the final dash in Brazil final 12 months, was on the facet of the followers who felt there was an excessive amount of observe.

“I do not suppose it is proper that Method 1 has 3 times the quantity of observe that you’ve got in F3 and F2,” mentioned Russell.

Nonetheless, Russell underlined his view that observe shouldn’t be scrapped altogether to make sure Method 1’s know-how stays on the innovative.

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Try the important thing moments from the newest Dash in Sao Paulo

“No observe could be too little,” mentioned Russell.

“That is nonetheless the top of the game and you do not need to be simply left with the automobile that you just created in the beginning of the 12 months with no alternative to check out new issues.

“Whereas for those who’re going straight right into a session that’s points-worthy or there’s a reward, you are much less prone to trial new issues [on the car].”

Russell’s Mercedes team-mate Sir Lewis Hamilton mentioned it was “cool” that F1 have been experimenting with the weekend format, however known as on the game to search out alternate options for uncommon circuits like Monaco, the place sprints will not be the answer.

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Following feedback made by each George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, Craig Slater assesses whether or not there may be any rigidity between the pair

“There’s undoubtedly locations the place it is not going to be good,” mentioned the seven-time world champion.

“However I feel we could be extra dynamic and take a look at locations like Monaco – maybe there’s a completely different resolution to make it extra participating for followers.

“We are able to use dash races in some locations, maybe there’s one thing else we will do?

“I just like the format from the dash weekend the place you might have that one observe session – there’s lots of strain simply to get that proper and you then’re straight into qualifying.

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Method 1 rookies Oscar Piastri and Nyck de Vries go karting with Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson and Naomi Schiff – and all of it received reasonably aggressive!

AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries gave his perspective as a rookie that one observe session could be sufficient.

“I feel in all junior sequence we have been used to really solely doing one free observe session so I feel we might do with much less,” mentioned the Dutchman.

Brundle: I do not know why we’re messing round

Martin Brundle does not imagine Max Verstappen would go away F1 over this problem

Sky Sports activities F1’s Martin Brundle is just not satisfied by the proposed adjustments, saying: “I just like the format we’ve received.

“I do not know why we’re already messing round with the dash idea if I’m trustworthy. I do not see why it must be standalone.

“The groups and the drivers love certainty. Then the followers need to sit down and watch uncertainty, which they definitely had in Melbourne.

“The entire goal of the Dash race, and it has labored on a lot of events already, was to perhaps simply boost the precise race day grid a little bit bit.”

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Martin Brundle discusses dash occasions and adjustments to the F1 weekend format

Brundle was talking on the Monday that adopted a dramatic Australian Grand Prix, ultimately gained by Verstappen.

Regardless of the Dutchman’s feedback in opposition to proposed adjustments, Brundle doubts the double world champion would stroll away from F1 as a consequence.

“I might be stunned, but when he does not need to drive it there are 1,000,000 different individuals who would need to drive that Crimson Bull,” he mentioned.

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Martin Brundle discusses dash occasions and adjustments to the F1 weekend format

“I feel what he’s making an attempt to say is ‘do not fiddle an excessive amount of’. Let’s evolve and therapeutic massage this alongside, do not go altering the bottom guidelines.

“I get his level on that, however I do not actually see why that might make him cease.”

Not listening to followers ‘a mistake’

The followers are carefully break up on whether or not on not there may be an excessive amount of observe in Method 1

We requested you, the followers, on Twitter whether or not three observe classes in Method 1 was an excessive amount of, and the reply was ‘no’ – however solely simply.

56.2 per cent of voters have been glad with the present format, which means nearly half of the followers who voted felt there are too many observe classes presently.

Given how the shut outcomes have been, it’s pure that observe is on the desk for dialogue.

There was no doubting Domenicali’s concentrate on understanding what the followers need as he makes choices on F1 transferring ahead.

“The game is evolving due to the character of the eye the followers need to hold,” defined the previous Ferrari workforce principal.

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Sky F1’s David Croft questions whether or not Crimson Bull’s dominant begin to the season is dangerous for the game

“If we do not realise that, it is a mistake.

“That is why we must be on the footsteps of what the followers need – we have to do not forget that we’re right here as a result of the followers love us.”

What’s subsequent?

Because of the cancellation of the Chinese language Grand Prix, there may be now a four-week break till the 2023 Method 1 season resumes with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku’s gorgeous avenue circuit.

The motion is all dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 from April 28-30, with Sunday’s race at 12pm.

Between at times, we will likely be bringing you all the newest F1 information by way of the Sky Sports activities app and web site.