23 replies to this topic

[Heyli]

The 10 minutes are gone! 

 

https://www.formula1...jGKdAr2C3e.html

 

Would have preferred that they got rid of the hour for European races as well, but it's at least something. 

 

I think also the reduction of half an hour makes sense. Probably wont change much for the running time though. 

[TomNokoe]

Very unhappy with the reduction in practice time. Totally unnecessary.

The teams will still run exactly the same plans and total laps as before, but it will be far more busy and messy. Sure, this might be interesting at face value, but it's practice, it's not supposed to be 60 minutes of constant action.

At least with 90 minutes the teams get to spread themselves out and "take turns" as to who goes out when, giving the viewer a nice variety. With the sessions condensed, everyone will be out at the same time, and the TV cameras can only follow one car at any one time, so it will simply end up being an exercise in watching live timing, just like qualifying.

[Risil]

I think this is a direct result of Jack Nicholls taking the piss and wasting everyone's time during Radio 5's free practice coverage. The devil makes work for idle mouths.

[f1paul]

The 10 minutes are gone! 

 

https://www.formula1...jGKdAr2C3e.html

 

Would have preferred that they got rid of the hour for European races as well, but it's at least something. 

 

I think also the reduction of half an hour makes sense. Probably wont change much for the running time though. 

They have?

 

Races are starting at 1300 UK time now, no?

 

Edit: No you are right

Edited by f1paul, 29 January 2021 - 11:00.

[Stephane]

Welt, that was the hour back i wanted more. Don't really care for the 10 min thing.

[SenorSjon]

Welt, that was the hour back i wanted more. Don't really care for the 10 min thing.

 

See it as progress. In 6 seasons, we will have our hour back!

[Clatter]

As a TV viewer I'm not fussed about it. It could make things slightly harder for the teams, especially with the lack of in-season testing they may struggle to test new parts. It's the paying spectator who will ultimately be the loser.

[cpbell]

Less FP means less time for the teams to optimise set-ups, which will lead to subtle changes in the relative performances of the teams.  I agree that the track will be more crowded initially, but I expect that teams will respond to this by doing fewer laps per session.

[ArchieTech]

The reduction of free practice time makes me think it will be less likely for junior drivers to get a run now.

 

I would also have liked to have the European rounds moved back to their usual timeslot.

[Myrvold]

Less time watching F1 cars for the already high ticket price. Brilliant.

[Kalmake]

Less time watching F1 cars for the already high ticket price. Brilliant.

Almost same amount of laps will be run, though. Less time watching empty track.

[Clatter]

Almost same amount of laps will be run, though. Less time watching empty track.

That's the assumption, but might not actually work out like that. Often time is lost when they are testing and changing parts, they won't be able to make those laps up.

[JimmyClark]

Not being put back to 1pm is irritating; I was hoping to have my Sunday afternoons back. 

[maximilian]

Pretty tough for the rookies... even LESS practice (coupled with less pre-season testing, and practically NO in-season testing).  And if anything goes wrong during that already short session... 

 

The reality is that it'll probably just hurt the smaller teams, as usual.  The top teams will pull off their sessions like clockwork anyways and/or dial in their setups from their extensive data and simulations.  Wouldn't be surprised if this just widens the gap.

[Risil]

I thought F1 had already announced that European races would be starting at 1pm UK time? So much for that.

[PayasYouRace]

Pretty tough for the rookies... even LESS practice (coupled with less pre-season testing, and practically NO in-season testing).  And if anything goes wrong during that already short session... 

 

The reality is that it'll probably just hurt the smaller teams, as usual.  The top teams will pull off their sessions like clockwork anyways and/or dial in their setups from their extensive data and simulations.  Wouldn't be surprised if this just widens the gap.

 

As if the rookies use the entire practice sessions.

 

F1 needs less practice and more testing. They need the testing to sort out car development, but they don't need to have everything nailed for each race weekend.

[SenorSjon]

*bump*

 

Verstappen chips in: https://www.motorspo...a-rain/6657659/

 

I hope we have the 14.00 CET back next season.

[Afterburner]

As an American viewer I hope the start time stays right where it is now. 9:00 AM on the east coast is perfect, and the accordingly following times westward are not as prohibitive for those viewers.

Mandating every start time be earlier is using a hammer where a scalpel is needed. Allowing flexibility within the rules to start races earlier in the event of specifically difficult situations is all that need be done.

[Ruusperi]

Phew, this is just an old thread. Thought they were cutting free practice time again, like 30 minutes per session. Eventually they won't have any practice at all, and apparently no race either, so F1 weekend = qualifying.

[SenorSjon]

As an American viewer I hope the start time stays right where it is now. 9:00 AM on the east coast is perfect, and the accordingly following times westward are not as prohibitive for those viewers.

Mandating every start time be earlier is using a hammer where a scalpel is needed. Allowing flexibility within the rules to start races earlier in the event of specifically difficult situations is all that need be done.

 

We had 14.00 for ages. 

 

And IndyCar shows little leniency for us Europeans with 3.00 AM starting times.

[Mark521]

As an American viewer I hope the start time stays right where it is now. 9:00 AM on the east coast is perfect, and the accordingly following times westward are not as prohibitive for those viewers.

Mandating every start time be earlier is using a hammer where a scalpel is needed. Allowing flexibility within the rules to start races earlier in the event of specifically difficult situations is all that need be done.

 

As an American East Coast viewer I'd prefer the earlier start time (1pm CET, 7am ET) but that kills any US West Coast audience.  The recent Belgium GP killed most of my Sunday.

I suspect that we're stuck with the current timing.

[danmills]

Thread date check! 

Edited by danmills, 31 August 2021 - 23:33.

[ArrowsLivery]

The less practice time is ridiculous for all the fans that actually go to the track.   

[BRK]

Yes, would be great to have the older start times back. At tracks like Spa, it would have given us 1 additional hour of daylight to wait out the storm, plus the rain was not as heavy in the afternoon.