Teams considering GP weekend shake-up

[ShiftingGears]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71034

In particular, the focus is on ensuring that Fridays deliver more for fans - and one proposal being floated is for the current extended practice sessions being replaced with a special, shootout-like, timed session for a cash prize.

Err...

[gloomyDAY]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71034



Err...

[V12]

The words barrel and scraping come to mind...

How's this for a radical idea: Two hour long sessions, one on Friday one on Saturday. Unlimited running in both sessions, no limits on fuel or type of tyres used. The fastest times, set in either session, go towards making up the grid for the race.

[ioan]

Someone should tell them that Friday is a working day and that might be why they get more people on Saturday and Sunday.

F1 is getting to a point where it is in danger of becoming the laughing stock of motorsport.

[ArrowsFA1]

Many years ago Elio de Angelis highlighted the absurdity of testing. I can't remember/find his exact comment, but it was along the lines of the teams spending huge sums of money and time in the search for a couple of tenths, when they could do their testing on the Friday of a race weekend. So they may lose a tenth or two as a result but so what? Everyone would be in the same situation and the status quo would remain the same. Testing on Fridays would also mean plenty of track time for spectators who wanted to see F1 cars in action meaning that Friday's may actually be worth spending money to attend.

Make Friday a "fan" day when the teams and sponsors, in addition to their testing, make the sport more accessible for the fans. Sure they'd be busy testing, but time could be set aside for autograph sessions, pits walkabouts etc.

[Mark]

Many years ago Elio de Angelis highlighted the absurdity of testing. I can't remember/find his exact comment, but it was along the lines of the teams spending huge sums of money and time in the search for a couple of tenths, when they could do their testing on the Friday of a race weekend. So they may lose a tenth or two as a result but so what? Everyone would be in the same situation and the status quo would remain the same. Testing on Fridays would also mean plenty of track time for spectators who wanted to see F1 cars in action meaning that Friday's may actually be worth spending money to attend.

Make Friday a "fan" day when the teams and sponsors, in addition to their testing, make the sport more accessible for the fans. Sure they'd be busy testing, but time could be set aside for autograph sessions, pits walkabouts etc.

You are, of course, absolutely correct. I would completely ban all testing. Aside from perhaps one day before the season starts to make sure the car actually works.

Then make Friday a test day, the race being open all day with no restrictions on tyres or engines or anything else. In fact the cars wouldn't have to go through scrutineering either, so if they wanted to test a car for next years regs or run underweight, then that's fine too.

[ShiftingGears]

I'd agree to something that isn't gimmicky. Such as -

Giving the teams more testing time on Fridays.

Sunday warm-up. For the final tweaks - and so the audience are spared from watching Z-grade celebrities fart around in 15 minute races. I don't know if thats the case in other countries, but the '07 Australian grand prix had two or three of those races, all of which were completely unnecessary.

Although, it was a step up from hearing The Young Divas.

[Dave B]

Many years ago Elio de Angelis highlighted the absurdity of testing. I can't remember/find his exact comment, but it was along the lines of the teams spending huge sums of money and time in the search for a couple of tenths, when they could do their testing on the Friday of a race weekend. So they may lose a tenth or two as a result but so what? Everyone would be in the same situation and the status quo would remain the same. Testing on Fridays would also mean plenty of track time for spectators who wanted to see F1 cars in action meaning that Friday's may actually be worth spending money to attend.

Make Friday a "fan" day when the teams and sponsors, in addition to their testing, make the sport more accessible for the fans. Sure they'd be busy testing, but time could be set aside for autograph sessions, pits walkabouts etc.

So simple and obvious that it'll never happen!

As Mark says, the sensible course would be a testing ban apart from maybe a couple of days to shake down a new car. Then dedicate Fridays to test sessions - or even Thursdays too where there's space in the calendar. Charge fans a nominal sum for entry and mandate a period where there's access to the paddock.

Hey, you could even introduce a rule where every 100 autographs signed buys the driver one lap of testing! They'd soon mix with the paying public then!

[jens]

special, shootout-like, timed session for a cash prize.

Huh? What's the point of this? Do they award World Championship points for this? Cash prize? Well, the teams have already enough money, I think...

[AndyRAC]

Someone should tell them that Friday is a working day and that might be why they get more people on Saturday and Sunday.

F1 is getting to a point where it is in danger of becoming the laughing stock of motorsport.

No chance, not even close - that 'honour' belongs to WRC.