P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Williams boss James Vowles has urged F1 to consider condensing race weekends, suggesting a shorter schedule could allow the calendar to expand.
Williams boss James Vowles has proposed shortening Formula 1 race weekends to potentially allow for an expanded calendar, emphasizing the success of Sprint Race weekends. This suggestion comes amid ongoing discussions within F1 regarding new weekend formats to increase excitement and engagement.
Vowles recommended transitioning to two-day weekends with limited free practice sessions, aiming to enhance the spectacle for fans while also granting teams more flexibility. The topic of Sprint Races and weekend structure garnered attention during the pre-Singapore Grand Prix team principals’ press conference.
Support for Vowles’ idea came from figures like Aston Martin’s Andy Cowell and Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen, who have seen the positive impact of Sprint Races and endorse the potential for more such events. Cowell believes that upcoming regulatory changes could further improve race dynamics, making condensed weekends a fitting evolution for F1.
Overall, there is growing interest and openness among F1 stakeholders to explore alternative race weekend formats, with a general consensus that Sprint Races have brought positive energy and excitement to the sport.
