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F1 could scrap 'two by two' grid and Friday practice sessions

Published on 24 Oct 2017 11:14
17
By: Rob Veenstra

F1 owner Liberty is considering shaking up the sport's traditional weekend format. In Austin, the pre-race proceedings were suddenly changed when the pitlane was opened earlier to allow legendary announcer Michael Buffer to introduce the drivers in Indy 500 style.

Not just that, Usain Bolt spiced up the waving of the green flag. "We want formula one to cross the boundary between sport and show," said Liberty's F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches. Now, the next innovations are being planned.

Sporting boss Ross Brawn has been quoted by F1 business journalist Christian Sylt as saying Friday practice sessions could be axed in future, making room for more races on the calendar. "One of the things we are doing is looking at the format of a race weekend to see if we need to change that to make it logistically easier for them (the teams) to do more races," Brawn is quoted by Forbes.

And Germany's Bild newspaper reports that another idea being discussed is a shake-up of the traditional 'two by two' formation on the race grid. The report said the grid rows in the future could alternate between two and three cars, increasing competition and the risk of a crash. "We are looking for ways to offer fans more," F1 chief executive Chase Carey said. (GMM)

kngrthr

Posts: 203

friday practice was brought in when in season testing was eliminated.
was a good idea because the spectators get to see it instead of the (then) closed circuit testing.
the teams and drivers need a chance to run these cars . not just in races.
the statement "increasing competition and the risk of... [Read more]

2
Oct 24 2017 - 16:41

F1 News

Replies (17)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
They could always scrap the current FP1, one less friday practice wouldnt really change much, and we'd still have one friday practice left for those who enjoy (and are able to) watching it. But scrapping the two grid system... Dunno, could be a thing?
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- Oct 24 2017 - 11:52
RenaultFM1

Posts: 100
Yes let them change everything so it become fucking american way. No other than american people know how to destroy traditions. FUCK OFF!!
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- Oct 24 2017 - 12:01
- f1ski
  
  Posts: 726
  Bring the royal family back to power and reinstate serfdom. TOAD.
  + 1
  
  Oct 24 2017 - 16:15
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
Bad idea
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- Oct 24 2017 - 12:53
f1ski

Posts: 726
Side by side starts and eliminate the stagger. But three across foolish.
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- Oct 24 2017 - 16:17
kngrthr

Posts: 203
friday practice was brought in when in season testing was eliminated.
was a good idea because the spectators get to see it instead of the (then) closed circuit testing.
the teams and drivers need a chance to run these cars . not just in races.
the statement "increasing competition and the risk of a crash" is totally irresponsible. i hope its a misprint.
- + 2
- Oct 24 2017 - 16:41
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  Agreed. I had to read that crash-sentence again because I figured I read it wrong. Now I'm all for changing things, if it makes for better racing, even if it becomes a little more risky. However, doing something for the sake of have more crashes is insane.
  + 0
  
  Oct 24 2017 - 18:04
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Dont fix what isnt broken to break more cars and necks. That'd pretty much make the Halo implementation redundant. ;)
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  Oct 24 2017 - 19:58
Rindtchamp

Posts: 304
I watched that on Sunday and in over 40 yrs of watching F1, I've never cringed so much or been so embarrassed to be an F1 fan. it was shocking!
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- Oct 24 2017 - 17:43
f1dave

Posts: 782
This is getting stupid. I thought three engines per season was bad but this tops even that!
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- Oct 24 2017 - 17:59
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
I've been watching the practice sessions for the last couple of years. And it's not exactly the most entertaining thing in the world, but nor should it necessarily be. It's about testing.
Ifor I were to change anything, I would add the possibility of running 3 cars per team. That way you could have a proper test driver, that is also used to the cars if and when he is replacing another driver. It would probably lead to more cars on track, and it would give the teams a chance to test some ideas that may be a little more radical.
- + 1
- Oct 24 2017 - 18:09
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I agree on the testing bit. At most remove one of the sessions, otherwise just leave them be. Dont remove content we pay to watch. About the 3 car system... Not sure. I could see it happening, but it'd be very expensive for all the teams, at least the first season, so they'd have to find a way to make it more feasible in that respect. If we are to have this few teams for another while then sure, it might be a good idea, but I'd prefer more teams if possible.
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  Oct 24 2017 - 20:01
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  I'm sure Liberty could make it worth their while, if it meant better entertainment.
  I don't know when they stopped, but they used to carry a spare car around 10-15 years ago. It theoretically wouldn't even have to be the latest spec, if they wanted to understand the tires better, maybe a new wing design, whatever.
  In a way, if they'd want to get rid of one, I'd like to see them extent the other to a 2 hour session. It would be easier both for the TV channels, the crowd and the viewers as it wouldn't break up the day entirely, and you wouldn't have to sit through a marathon 3 hour session if you record them. And usually the first 30 min in each session are dead anyway
  + 0
  
  Oct 24 2017 - 21:05
- Pauli
  
  Posts: 140
  Spare cars where used in time when building a new one from spare parts wasn't realistic between sessions. But engineering has improved science making it much simpler solution to have the spare car in separate parts that can be used to replace parts on demand. I'm saying that teams still have a spare car with them but it isn't assembled like it used to be. Also old rules allowed driver to use spare car after crash in qualification if I remember correctly (but I don't have firm memory about that)
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  Oct 24 2017 - 21:23
denis1304

Posts: 284
announcer Michael Buffer was biggest piece of bull $HlT
had my tv on mute
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- Oct 24 2017 - 23:25
LightIsRight

Posts: 113
Let's remove all right hand corners and run races a quarter mile at a time. And only allow carbs.
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- Oct 25 2017 - 07:59
xoya

Posts: 583
'merica! Fuck yeah!!!
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- Oct 25 2017 - 08:03