15 replies to this topic

[earthling45]

In my view it is already improved by having a separate qualifying for the sprint race, though having only one free practice is not ideal for a proper preparation.

I think it could be improved by having friday solely for free practices and lengthen them to 90 minutes as it was a few years ago.

On saturday, have a 10 minutes free run immediately folowed by the qualifying for the sprint race, Q1 15 minutes Q2 12 minutes Q3 10 minutes.

And of course the obvious, in the afternoon the sprintrace.

Sunday morning again 10 minutes free run immediately followed by the qualification for the main race, Q1 15 minutes Q2 12 minutes Q3 10 minutes.

And of course in the afternoon the main race.

 

So a weekend would look like this.

 

Friday

Practice 1 90 minutes

practice 2 90 minutes

 

Saturday

free run followed by qualifying.

Sprint race.

 

Sunday

free run followed by qualifying.

Main race.

 

This should make for an action packed weekend, enough action on all three days and thus also more atractive for those who buy a ticket for one day.

 

Benefit, a sprintrace at every race weekend and thus more action but also proper preparation for the drivers and teams to test and setup the cars.

And of course a programm that does not deviate form other weekends like we have now during weekends with a sprint race.

 

Brazil was beautiful in my view with both the qualifying and race on sunday and last weekend we have seen how a team can completely turn things around (maybe helped by temperatures) and be a contender for the win.

But that could also mean losing out after a solid saturday when conditions change.

 

 

 

[Ragamuffin]

You don't mess with perfection.

[NCB619]

No - the current set up is decent enough.

Did we not learn from 2005 regarding regular Sunday morning qualifying?

[Wuzak]

a) Why do we need Sprint races at all?

b) What's the point of the "free runs"?

 

For practice, I would probably stay with a 60 minute session. There would be a 90 minute in which the session can be run. The session clock (60 minutes) would stop for red flags, and restart when the session resumes. When the time window expires, the session ends, even if the full 60 minutes hasn't been used.

[Beri]

I know the perfect setup to a weekend;
Friday - 2 Free practices
Saturday - 1 Free practice and Qualifying
Sunday - The race

[JimmyClark]

If we have to have these sprint weekends, then this is the best format so far. However, I'd make sprint qualifying single lap qualifying as it's just too similar to the proper grand Prix qualifying.

[loki]

Fri

Heat race 1

Heat race 2

 

Sat

Heat race 3

Heat race 4

 

Sun

Main

[PayasYouRace]

Just sticking to the OP’s suggestion, there isn’t a need for three hours of free practice in modern F1. At least, before all competitive sessions. I’d rather if Friday is to have any F1 running that some of it is competitive. Which is why the current sprint weekend format works well. You’ve got a reason to tune in on Friday.

No objections to some free practice between sprint sessions and Grand Prix sessions though.

I think I’ve settled on my perfect GP weekend for a while now. It would just be Saturday AM FP, Saturday PM Q, Sunday AM FP, Sunday PM GP. To build that into a three day schedule, I’d probably go for the following.

Friday AM FP
Friday PM SQ
Saturday AM SR
Saturday PM FP
Sunday AM Q
Sunday PM GP

[DeKnyff]

No sprint race. Problem solved.

[PayasYouRace]

I actually wanted to praise the current system after Qatar because of how it allowed a different form book between sprint and race. Red Bull turning their car around from upper midfield to race winner shows the system works well. They weren’t locked down in their initial set up.

Unfortunately it didn’t become the talking point of the race.

[Larunss]

Out of all the sprint variations, this year it makes the most sense

But to me they may aswell disappear, I would not miss them!

With 24 race weekends I can barely manage time to see the quali and races, never mind the friday sessions.

The gradual buildup towards the Saturday Q and Sunday race feels more natural with the regular 3 FP format.

[noikeee]

Friday

Free Practice 1

100 metres Sprint Race between the drivers on foot

Mario Kart Session

5 lap race between the reserve drivers

 

Saturday

Sprint Race with reverse grid from the foot sprint race

One Lap Aggregate Elimination qualifying with race fuel and one tyre each different compound

Slapping Contest between the drivers and team principals, seeded according to aggregate WDC+WCC+TwitterFanVote points

 

Sunday

First half of the Grand Prix race

Lunch break

Second half of the Grand Prix race with standing start reverse grid from the first half, but who won that race has 10 extra DRS button activations

Beginning of parc ferme

All spectators forcibly sent home

Free Practice 2

[Heyli]

I like the current setup. Well balanced, enough action. The lack of practise spices it up a bit, but doesnt necessarily ruin the race now that they can change setup between Sprint and Race, and as a result we also see difference performances from the teams.

 

I think all the adjustments they made for the sprints were actually good ones so far. 

[F1 Mike]

I honestly haven't got time to follow sprint races for the entire season. I've already scaled back my MotoGP to watching 10 minute highlights of the sprints on Saturday. It's just too much.

[SenorSjon]

I know the perfect setup to a weekend;
Friday - 2 Free practices
Saturday - 1 Free practice and Qualifying
Sunday - The race

 

Sunday breakfast warm-up. And ditch the parc ferme rules, we have budget caps now.

 

I honestly haven't got time to follow sprint races for the entire season. I've already scaled back my MotoGP to watching 10 minute highlights of the sprints on Saturday. It's just too much.

 

I quit watching the Spanish Ducati Cup.

[absinthedude]

Just bin sprints. Then nuke the bin.