The introduction of a Saturday qualifying race was among several changes to the Formula 1 weekend format put forward to teams by bosses in Australia, a report in Germany has claimed.
At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Liberty Media, the FIA and teams are set to meet with an updated set of proposals for engine and financial regulations for 2021 to be presented, however, though they are the most sensitive areas for negotiation, the management’s overhaul is much broader.
Changes to the weekend format have often been touted and now we have a first indication of what it is CEO Chase Carey and the rest of the Formula One Group are thinking.
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Auto Sport und Motor revealed on Monday that F1 bosses want to introduce an open scrutineering on Friday’s, allowing fans to get close to the cars, before two one-hour practice sessions, half an hour shorter than currently.
The current third practice on a Saturday morning would be converted into a qualifying session for a 100km qualifying race in the afternoon which would then set the grid for the Grand Prix itself on Sunday.
That qualifying race would also see teams have a free and unlimited choice of tyres and current restrictions on fuel flow would also be lifted allowing drivers to push flat out.
These ideas remain just that for now and it is unknown if they would be changes introduced in 2019 or later in 2021, but with plenty on the agenda it will be interesting to see what reaction and feedback is given on all topics after the gathering at Sakhir this weekend.
