Analysis | Why quitting free practice is not an option

Passionate Stefano Domenicali waved the finish flag at the end of the first MotoGP race of the year on Sunday. However, the Italian Formula One Management (FOM) CEO was not only in Portimão, Portugal, to flag off the winner. No doubt Domenicali also gained inspiration there on how to further develop Formula One. For instance, the former Ferrari boss must also be curious to see how the many sprint races in MotoGP are faring.

As many as 42 races will be run by drivers in MotoGP this season. That's 21 Grands Prix, plus 21 sprint races. So MotoGP has taken a good look at Formula 1, where the sprint race has become a feature in the last two seasons. Unlike F1, the fan is presented with two races every weekend. Overkill therefore lurks. Too many races takes away the lustre, according to opponents of sprint racing. A Grand Prix is nice because it is a special event. Moreover, not all drivers are fans of it; Max Verstappen, for instance, does not think it is necesarry.

Little news

Still, it is no secret that FOM is looking for ways to increase excitement. After the end of the motor race, Domenicali said he wanted to get rid of free practice sessions in Formula 1, at least so it became clear from a quote he had recorded by a Portuguese broadcaster: "I am in favour of cancelling the practice sessions that are of great benefit to the engineers, but which the public does not like."

Unfortunately, the context of this comment was missing, as it turned out not to be as black and white as stated. The Italian does not want to abolish all free practice sessions at all. Late last year, the Italian already hinted that he would prefer to include a competition element in all sessions. That then was a more nuanced version of the quote Sunday in Portugal.

Not desirable

Completely abolishing free practice sessions is simply not desirable. These days, Formula 1 teams have no testing opportunities during the season. Without free practice sessions, it would become impossible to try out new parts and set-ups. As a result, it would become even more difficult for teams to catch up with Red Bull Racing - for example, this year.

Moreover, the lack of free practice sessions is dangerous, including for drivers who have never driven on a particular track before. Of course, every driver nowadays spends hours in the simulator, but reality is always just a little different. Finally, there is the television viewer. As mentioned, as crazy as MotoGP, Formula 1 doesn't make it. Not yet. This year there are six sprint races, already three more than last season. Would there be nine next year? Or even more?

Will there continue to be interest?

If it is soon scheduled every race weekend, won't the average motorsport fan lose interest at some point? Instead of 23 races that Red Bull wins overwhelmingly, only 46? To ask the question is to actually answer it. Nor is it by any means an established fact that the public does not like free practice, as Domenicali suggested. Plenty of fans who do love watching the cars do laps, without any competition element. How else to explain that Friday's free practice sessions attract all those spectators?

So have no fear. Although the presumption on Sunday was otherwise, Formula 1 is not going to scrap the free practice sessions. After all, that does not benefit anyone: not the teams, not the drivers and certainly not the fans.