Two-day race weekend not realistic: "People are enjoying three days"

The three-day race weekend has been under discussion for some time now. Therefore, Formula 1 experimented last year in Imola with a two-day variant. CEO Stefano Domenicali thought it went well but sees no future in this change.

Where Formula 1 teams normally have three free practice sessions to work on their car, it was different in Italy last year. The teams only had one free practice session on Saturday to prepare their car for the race, which increased the pressure on the mechanics.

Formula 1 as an event

Domenicali saw that the lack of time meant the excitement was greater than in a three-day weekend but does not see the shortening of a Formula One weekend as a real option. "The decision was made because of the fact that we talked to the organisers, and they're really keen that as soon as we get back to normality, they can extract the maximum out of the event," he explained to Sky Sports F1.

The CEO believes that a Formula One weekend is an event that cannot last long enough for fans. The sport must therefore adapt to the needs of the fans. "The event has to be like a concert when the people are enjoying three days with a lot of things - Formula 1, entertainment, fashion, music, energy. We need to respect that."