21 replies to this topic

[August]

What's your preferred race format?

I like weekends with races on two days. But not at the expense of race distance.

Obviously my favorite race events from the standpoint of the weekend format are multi-series doubleheaders like IndyCar/IMSA at Long Beach, IndyCar/NASCAR at IMS road course, and IMSA/WEC at Sebring (though quite wished those two would've had a joint grid in the 12h race).

I mean, I like having another headline race the day before the main race. Obviously those events are rather rare, but as for regular race weekends, I prefer the weekend formats of NASCAR and IMSA with the feeder series having a co-headline race the day before the main series' race.

Also, I like IndyCar's doubleheaders. I don't think having two races devaluates those races because they are (almost) full distance. Just wish those were somewhat different in distance to make a difference in race strategies.

As for having a sprint and a feature race like in MotoGP and certain F1 events, I don't mind it. I mean, that's just more on-track action even though a sprint kinda lacks the feel of a feature race. That being said, in F1's case I might trade the sprint races for a long F2 race (200 to 250 km) on Saturday in style of NASCAR Xfinity/Trucks.

[LolaB0860]

Headline series, one single race

Support series, one or two races (per series). Preferably there's a support series that's more "grander" than the other support series as well

 

Back in the good old ALMS days I loved how most races were on Saturdays but I don't think it suits all series

[Sterzo]

None of the above. Heats and finals for me, as at the Formula Ford Festival and F3 meetings in the dim and distant past.

[Otaku]

Friday FP > Friday Qualy
Saturday FP > Saturday Qualy

Sunday Warm-up > Sunday Race

 

No stupid tyre rules nor mandatory pit stops.

[jacdaniel]

I know it's crazy these days but I like Friday practice, Saturday quali and a race on Sunday.

It makes perfect sense. No need for 2 or 3 races or shootout quali or any other nonsense

[cjm321190]

We know less practice is annoying for the teams so i say.

Saturday 2hrs practice then Qualifying

Sunday morning warm up 15 mins ( incase of weather change) then Normal race.

If they reduce the calendar days a little then we can have the number of races we do. Else it gets to much.

Testing pre season stays the same.

Test with 2 cars they practically bring two anyways. Or build that into the constructors ( teams who did not get a win last season get two cars)

Edited by cjm321190, 23 August 2023 - 07:37.

[PayasYouRace]

Which series are you asking for?

[MikeTekRacing]

We know less practice is annoying for the teams so i say.

Saturday 2hrs practice then Qualifying

Sunday morning warm up 15 mins ( incase of weather change) then Normal race.

If they reduce the calendar days a little then we can have the number of races we do. Else it gets to much.

Testing pre season stays the same.

Test with 2 cars they practically bring two anyways. Or build that into the constructors ( teams who did not get a win last season get two cars)

Fridays are great at the track to explore the circuit, look for different angles etc. *
there is also no pressure as the important stuff happens on Sat/Sun.
I feel skipping Fri action gives significantly less value to fans in the stands.

* talking about regular weekends, not the sprint nonesense

[RedRabbit]

I quite like MotoGPs format, including support classes that are World Championships too, and not just a feeder series, so they get almost equal exposure and relevance.

I also like the build up to the main race.

A proper FP on Friday morning that allows them to get a baseline, and then the next 2 sessions are relevant to which qualifying session a rider is in.

I also appreciate that even if a rider is in Q1, the top 2 can progress into Q1 for a shot in the top 12 of the grid. So any disasters in practice don't necessarily ruin an entire weekend.

I quite like the Sprint too, and even though it offers something of a glimpse into the main race, it's more often a different experience and outcome for a lot of riders. Scoring well in the sprint can also soften the blow of a GP DNF.

Then on Sunday there are 3 proper races that are all very different to each other, and there is rarely an entirely dull weekend.

[Yoshi]

I know it's crazy these days but I like Friday practice, Saturday quali and a race on Sunday.

It makes perfect sense. No need for 2 or 3 races or shootout quali or any other nonsense

This

[Jackmancer]

One race and old style qualifying, 1 hour and 12 laps per driver. Qualifying was just a relaxed hour with some chit-chat in the beginning and then more excitement in the final minutes. And warmup on Sunday morning please.

[PayasYouRace]

Can we edit the poll to include “Depends on the series”?

I think it really depends.

One big race is the best format for big, world championship level type events. Basically, if you’re an F1, Indycar, NASCAR or WEC type series, your races should be single, headline events with proper names with historical links. A Grand Prix, a Such-and-Such 500, a Thingy 24h.

Each of those big events should be supported by both development series and local series.

Development series, your F2s, IndyLights, etc, should have different types of racing to test their drivers differently. I think a sprint and feature format is great for them. It provides the necessary environment to learn new skills and be shown off to different teams elsewhere.

Then the local, lower stake series, your BTCCs, DTMs etc, work best with multiple short races. When they have no headline events, bring on more action. Nobody really remembers the names of the Silverstone Race 2 winners, or Hockenheim Saturday race. When I’m sitting on the bank at Thruxton, I’d rather see the main guys race three times than just once.

Series shouldn’t be afraid to have some variety in there formats. Supercars does this well I think, with big enduros and multiple sprint formats in one season.

I am on the fence about headline series sharing top billing at a race weekend. Seems to work with the various NASCAR/Indycar/IMSA/WEC events we have nowadays, but I think it could be overdone.

[lustigson]

If it's a Grand Prix, it should be a single, longer race. Anything shorter than 90 minutes, or shorter than 300 kms (except, maybe, for Monaco) is a Petit Prix.

[Ruusperi]

For F1, the 5 red lights should go out only once, and that is Sunday afternoon at 2pm sharp. If it happens other times, it's not a special moment anymore.

 

For feeder series, I don't care. They could have 3 races per weekend. The more the youngsters get race experience, the better.

[cjm321190]

Fridays are great at the track to explore the circuit, look for different angles etc. *
there is also no pressure as the important stuff happens on Sat/Sun.
I feel skipping Fri action gives significantly less value to fans in the stands.

* talking about regular weekends, not the sprint nonesense

forgot to mention you would still get the support races on friday but maybe you are right why change what works.

I was trying to justify 22-25 races a year. I believe 18 is the magic number maybe 20 at a push. But that means less classics as ME and pressure for 3 US races pads the numbers.

[Sterzo]

forgot to mention you would still get the support races on friday but maybe you are right why change what works.

It's a great shame that F3 and F2 are confined to the F1 weekends, and relegated to "nobody watching" slots. They are good enough, and significant enough, to headline their own race meetings.

[PayasYouRace]

It's a great shame that F3 and F2 are confined to the F1 weekends, and relegated to "nobody watching" slots. They are good enough, and significant enough, to headline their own race meetings.

Are they? They’re on the F1 support bill because nobody watched them when they raced alone. Nobody goes to a stand-alone F2 race (it’s not 1968 anymore). Much less F3. These series and their predecessors had the tag along with bigger series (F1, DTM, FIAGT, etc) for anyone to take notice of them.

[Rumblestrip]

I quite like MotoGPs format, including support classes that are World Championships too, and not just a feeder series, so they get almost equal exposure and relevance.

I also like the build up to the main race.

A proper FP on Friday morning that allows them to get a baseline, and then the next 2 sessions are relevant to which qualifying session a rider is in.

I also appreciate that even if a rider is in Q1, the top 2 can progress into Q1 for a shot in the top 12 of the grid. So any disasters in practice don't necessarily ruin an entire weekend.

I quite like the Sprint too, and even though it offers something of a glimpse into the main race, it's more often a different experience and outcome for a lot of riders. Scoring well in the sprint can also soften the blow of a GP DNF.

Then on Sunday there are 3 proper races that are all very different to each other, and there is rarely an entirely dull weekend.

 

I agree that the MotoGP format is good from a support class point of view. For me the thing I always enjoyed about F1 was the slow build-up to the big race, from Friday practice, to Saturday qualifying to the big event on Sunday. The sprint race format always feels un-real and not really connected to the rest of the weekend from a focus point of view.

 

One thing I would add to the event (and I've been banging this drum for years) would be the opportunity to test on the following Monday. Clearly not all tracks can accommodate that (e.g. Monaco) but in terms of teams trying to correct a significant handling issue for example it would provide a golden chance to test various set-ups and confirm aero correlation with the wind tunnel. (Maybe I'm just scarred by memories of McLaren having to use multiple race weekends to do just that) But in the current climate of limited development budget I think giving teams a chance to 'course-correct' in the real world would help even the teams up significantly more quickly.

[SenorSjon]

And give test drivers a chance.

[August]

I quite like MotoGPs format, including support classes that are World Championships too, and not just a feeder series, so they get almost equal exposure and relevance.

I like it how MotoGP presents its feeder classes, integrated into the same package with the top class. Obviously historical reasons are very much behind this since the GP World Championship has always had multiple classes.

That being said, my issue with MotoGP's race day is the gaps between the races. You'll have just over two hours of racing in a window of almost 4 hours.

In that sense I prefer how NASCAR and IMSA present their feeder series, giving them headline slots on Saturday (and/or Friday).

[Bleu]

With support series, especially F2 and F3 I don't miss Sunday morning warm-up that much.

 

I think the current usual format is fine.

[noriaki]

None of the above. Heats and finals for me, as at the Formula Ford Festival and F3 meetings in the dim and distant past.

 

In my dream fantasy Grand Prix format we would have an open entry to anybody that can build a car which conforms to the regulations. 40-50 cars. Friday would be dedicated to one big free practice session, Saturday would be dedicated to 20 minute heat races of 8-10 cars each - grids in reverse championship order! - and Sunday's 300-400 km Grand Prix would be only for the best 24 cars qualifying from the heat races. There's your way to have unique sprint races with plenty at stake, Liberty.