Stefano Domenicali is determined to reduce or eliminate the practice sessions and advocate for more sprint races in Formula 1. The traditional weekend pattern in Formula 1 has remained unchanged for a significant period of time, consisting of three practice sessions followed by a qualifying session and the main race. However, the introduction of the sprint format, which offers additional points, has prompted the CEO to seek a reduction in practice sessions and an increase in sprint races.
The sprint race format has undergone various changes over the seasons due to criticism from drivers. In light of these improvements, Stefano Domenicali is now focusing on decreasing the number of practice sessions. He questioned whether these sessions truly provided entertaining content for the Friday audience.
Additionally, Domenicali shared his vision of intensifying competition every time the drivers hit the track. He believed that creating thrilling battles was inherent to the sport and the mindset of the drivers. This is why he is striving for significant changes to the current format of Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport.
The Formula 1 calendar currently includes a mix of street and track-style circuits. Street circuits often offer less racing action due to the challenging nature of the circuit layout. However, Stefano Domenicali does not oppose the idea of including more street races. He emphasized the importance of having exciting races and considered investing in additional street circuits as a solid foundation for the sport’s growth.
The 2024 calendar is set to feature the highest number of races, with a total of 24. Many drivers and teams have expressed concerns about the physical and mental strain of such a lengthy calendar. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that more races will be added without removing some of the older iconic circuits.
Photo from Aston Martin F1 Instagram
