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Two-day grand prix weekends discussed

Team bosses have been discussing shortening race weekends © Getty Images

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• Drivers:
• Stefano Domenicali
• |
• Christian Horner

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo
• |
• Ferrari
• |
• HRT
• |
• McLaren
• |
• Mercedes
• |
• Racing Point
• |
• Red Bull
• |
• Renault
• |
• Team Lotus
• |
• Toro Rosso
• |
• Virgin
• |
• Williams

Two-day grands prix are being discussed by Formula One teams as part of a major revamp to race weekends.

Qualifying at the recent Japanese Grand Prix had to be postponed due to Saturday's torrential rain, highlighting the sport's ability to cope with a condensed schedule. Teams are discussing a permanent move to two days of action to lessen the time they spend on the road, but are wary about the extra pressure it would impose on staff.

"From the team's perspective it is quite intense, a lot of adrenaline, a lot of pressure," Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said. "And then if you have a problem with the car or a crash, then it is very difficult to make sure that you are able to start the race. [But] it would be interesting how you [the media] and the public will think about it."

Red Bull's Christian Horner also commented on the concept of a two-day weekend.

"I think the format worked well in two days [in Japan] because of the bad weather," he is quoted by France's L'Equipe. "What we could possibly do is condense what happens on a Friday. Personally, I would prefer to keep qualifying on a Saturday and the racing on Sunday."

A two-day programme would also be unpopular with circuits as they would lose the extra revenue gained from another day of ticket sales. However, Horner said there are still ways to improve the weekend within the three-day format.

"There are certainly things we could do with Friday," he added. "One example would be with the young drivers. Everybody arriving at the circuit on a Wednesday makes no sense. We need to discuss it with the FIA and FOM."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.