James Vowles calling at Baku - Photo: RacePictures

Two-day race weekends: A viable option for expanding F1 calendar

21:25, 26 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Williams team principal James Vowles has suggested that Formula 1 could explore two-day race weekends as a way of expanding the calendar beyond its current 24-race limit.

Half your weekends are spent watching Formula 1. I think that’s about the extreme end of where you can go to.

- James Vowles

Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, Vowles argued that while the championship has not yet overreached, the present format has likely hit its ceiling.

“I don’t think we have too many races, but I would not go above where we are at the moment because we’re asking people at home to be there for half a year.

"Half your weekends are spent watching Formula 1. I think that’s about the extreme end of where you can go to,” he said.

Williams celebrates Baku podium. Photo: RacePictures.

However, a shorter weekend could allow more flexibility. “I would change, and this is very much my opinion, I would change to two-day weekends. I would do Saturday and Sunday,” Vowles continued.

“And here’s the reason why, we can do more at that point in time. I know I just said 24 rounds is the maximum, but I actually wouldn’t be concerned because we’ve given back Friday.”

In his view, condensing the schedule could free up time without overloading fans or teams.

The start of the 2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Photo RacePictures.

“If you added another two race weekends in, you’d still be net in the same amount of time that you were previously,” he explained.

Vowles also sees a sporting benefit in scrapping lengthy practice sessions. “The product will be better because we do a lot of practice at the moment.

"Now, if you force us, you get one hour before qualifying, and that’s it. That’s quite a different proposition. I think you’ll get more variability and more randomness that comes out of it.”

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