Verstappen designs his ideal F1 weekend: 'Get rid of at least that'
Photo: Race Pictures
11:02, 29 Sep
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Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Max Verstappen has revealed which weekend format he thinks would work best for Formula 1. However, the Dutchman understands what drives the competition to introduce more Sprints, for example.
Speaking on the P1 with Matt & Tommy YouTube channel, the four-time Formula 1 world champion was asked what his ideal F1 weekend would look like.
The Red Bull Racing driver would make changes to the current format, and he is not fond of Sprints either, as he has previously explained on various occasions.
He began: "You arrive Saturday morning, FP1, qualifying and then the race on Sunday."
The Dutchman continued: "But the problem is that I understand that, of course, they have to monetize a Friday, they have to monetize a Saturday and a Sunday. So that's why I get that a Friday needs to be exciting. A Saturday needs to be exciting and a Sunday.
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"So I understand that a Sprint format is, you know, better or probably more fun for most that are at the track also because there's more racing. I just purely think from the driver side of things, you know, like three practice sessions can get a bit boring. Get rid of at least one."
"Get rid of at least one."- Max Verstappen
Three FP sessions not always needed
On a regular weekend, teams have up to 180 minutes of free practice to fine-tune their cars. According to Verstappen, however, that is not always necessary.
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
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"Honestly, [it's] a bit hit and miss. It depends also where you are as a team. Like if you understand your car well, then you can easily say, 'Oh, we can get rid of one.'
"But sometimes, some years it's harder to understand the car and you actually sometimes need like two sessions or whatever to figure it out. But I mean, that's their problem, right? This is team's problem, but yeah," he explained.
Verstappen on the Monaco Sprint
Next year, the number of Sprints in Formula 1 will increase to ten. Moreover, Monaco will also host a Sprint weekend next season.
In Baku, Verstappen said the following when asked about having this format in the Principality: "It also brings more action throughout the weekend. So, yeah, we'll participate.
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"But, you know, for me, I always think about the Grand Prix, and that's where my main focus is. And about the sprint in Monaco, yeah, I mean, it's the same scenario as what happens in the main race. Like, you are excited for the start, and then you can't pass. That's, I think, quite straightforward."
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