F1 to keep three-day weekend format, tweaks for Friday

Formula 1 sporting chief Ross Brawn has confirmed the sport will retain its current three-day race weekend format, though Friday’s running is set to be revised.

F1 has been considering whether to make changes to the weekend schedule in its bid to improve the show and cut costs amid an expanding calendar, with Saturday qualifying races already mooted for a trail run during three races in 2020.

The subject was discussed by chiefs at Suzuka after Typhoon Hagibis forced the cancellation of Saturday’s track action, with qualifying moved to Sunday morning ahead of the race. Holding both sessions on the same day was well-received by many drivers.

Following the weekend, Brawn revealed that F1 has decided to stick with the current three-day format, with changes set to alter Friday’s schedule.

“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,” Brawn said in F1’s post-race media release.

“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."

“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.”

Brawn’s comments hint at the possible scrapping of Thursday’s media day, which would take some of the strain off team personnel and drivers by enabling them to arrive at circuits a day later than usual.