Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1
Marcus Chan
The CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, has revealed that radical changes to the sport are on the agenda.
Over the years, the popularity of F1 has grown massively, partly boosted by Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' documentary series, which managed to attract a new wave of fans.
However, despite F1 being one of the best spectator sports in the world, there is always room for improvement.
In recent times, fans have spoken about the duration of the race weekend, whether it is far too long, in particular the three practice sessions that last a combined total of three hours.
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Speaking recently, F1 head honcho Domenicali spoke about changing the rules of the sport in order to bring in younger viewers.
As reported by Autosport, Domenicali touched on subjects such as shorter races, Moto-GP style sprints and reverse grids.
He began: "There’s a topic on the table concerning the format we’ll use in the coming years, starting with sprint weekends. We need to understand whether to increase them, how to increase them, and whether to use different formats. We have several discussions to have with the teams to decide the direction.
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"I’m being a bit provocative, but free practice appeals to super-specialists; people who want to see more action prefer a sprint weekend. There’s more to discuss and comment on from Friday – there’s a qualifying session – but I understand it has to become part of F1 culture.
"The direction is clear: I can guarantee that in a few years there will be demand to have all weekends with the same format. I’m not saying we’ll get to MotoGP, which has a sprint at every round – that’s too big a step. I see it more as a maturation process that respects a more traditionalist approach."
Domenicali continued: "As for the drivers, initially 18 were against the sprint and two in favour - today it’s the opposite. We discussed it at the dinner we organised in Austria and everyone spoke in favour. Even Max, with whom I spoke one-on-one, is starting to say it makes sense, so I see evolution from everyone. In the end, drivers are born to race."
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Domenicali went on to state that promoters and fans are 'tired of free practice' while going to concede that current Grands Prix are 'may be a bit too long for younger audiences'.
In addition, it has been suggested that a reverse grid concept is also being mentioned, with Domenicali pointing to the fact that 'in F2 and F3 this format has been around for decades'.
Speaking about reverse grids, the Italian said: "It’s on our agenda. We’ve discussed it before, but in the coming months we’ll need the courage to push the discussion again because I’ve heard several drivers propose it. At first everyone was against it, but at the last meeting many of them said, ‘Why don’t we try?’
"I don’t think there’s a single right or wrong stance here – every opinion has value. We’ll evaluate it with the FIA and interpret an evolving trend as best as possible, that’s for sure."