Lewis Hamilton reckons the “incredibly boring” practice
sessions for the Russian GP highlighted how F1 could improve its race weekend
format.
Friday running in Sochi was severely limited after a diesel
spillage and then persistent rain frustrated drivers, teams and fans alike. Bad
weather had also affected Japanese GP practice a fortnight earlier.
"I'm sure it was [boring] for whoever tuned in - and if
they did tune in and nothing happened. And for you guys and for us, the
mechanics, engineers, it's dull," Hamilton, who could win his second
straight world title in Austin next weekend, told reporters.
During the summer, the FIA announced that 'several exciting
and innovative changes to the qualifying and race weekend formats' have been
discussed' for 2016, with a Saturday sprint race believed to be under
consideration.
Asked whether he thought a format change would improve
things, Hamilton replied: "As a Formula 1 fan, 1000 per cent. It's been
the same Thursday, Friday, Saturday pretty much and Sunday for the whole nine
years that I've been here.
"Qualifying might have changed a little bit, but
generally the format's been exactly the same.
"I think it would be kind of neat if one weekend's
going to be 'super weekend' and then the next weekend's going to be something
different, it's going to be alternated grid positions, I don't know.
"But it would be neat if, each weekend, you knew you
were not going to do the same thing.
"I think that would be pretty cool. But I don't think
it's ever going to happen."
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said that while talks are
ongoing, a solution is proving hard to find.
"There are discussions. I'm honestly not sure what the
right way forward is: do we want to have qualifying races, reverse grids and
then whatever is discussed ends up in public and there is a big backlash of
people saying 'these guys in the Strategy Group are insane'," he said.
"It's probably worth exploring what we all think would be
right to develop the sport and make it more attractive."
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