F1
Elimination of Free Practice in F1: team directors ask for “a good balance”
Team principals open to discussions on F1 Free Practice © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI
This is the debate of the moment: should we eliminate the Free Practice sessions in F1 ? Stefano Domenicali had submitted the idea of a change in the format of weekends at the start of the week, arguing that the public " did not like " the Free Practices because of the lack of challenge and spectacle. In Melbourne, scene of the Australian Grand Prix last week, the question came back to the table during the team principals' press conferences.
“We need a good balance, said Otmar Szafnauer, team director Alpine, about Free Practice. I think we still need a bit of testing to tune the car and get the settings right. It will favor experienced drivers if we reduce practice sessions and could harm some beginners.
I understand what Stefano said to the Formula 1 Commission, that we should consider every test session on track to make things interesting for the fans. And I think one or two practice sessions would still be interesting, even if we're doing other things. »
Free Practice needed for Pirelli
If Guenther Steiner revealed that discussions were underway for a new format from the next Grand Prix, in Baku, the boss of the stable Haas wants these changes to be done “step by step” so as not to rush the public and the teams.
“[We need to] get over the hurdle of the second weekend qualifier in the sprint events and then maybe move on to the next step of what we're going to do next, explains the Italian director. We don't need to fix everything at once, removing free practice sessions and everything else. (…) Stefano [Domenicali] rather wanted [to present] his vision of the future, because that is what he must do for the FOM: have a vision. »
Steiner also underlines the importance of these Free Practices for the tire manufacturer, Pirelli, in order to collect necessary data for the rest of the weekend. Mario Isola, boss of Pirelli Motorsport, agrees.
“We collect useful data during the test sessions, for the use of the tires, the possible strategies. We need a good balance, says the Italian engineer.
I also understand Stefano's position, who wants to encourage interesting sessions for spectators. (…) I am therefore certain that we will be able to find a good solution with the teams (…) and a good balance between the two. »
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Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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31/03/2023 at 12:26 a.m.
The free practice sessions are still of interest for the teams even if they are not exciting for the spectators. The real point of a weekend is the Sunday race!!