Reports: F1 considering new format for sprint weekends

The implementations could be as soon as the next race in Baku.

Following the comments of Stefano Domenicali on the free practice sessions, Formula 1 (F1) is understood to be discussing a brand new format for the weekends. The main highlight of this is replacing the practice session with more fan-engaging sessions like qualifying and sprint races.

Prior to the weekend in Melbourne, Stefano Domenicali visited the MotoGP Season Opener in Portimao. The Italian made a controversial statement on the Free Practice sessions, saying that they could be useful for the engineers but boring for the fans. 

On the media day, drivers like George Russell, Pierre Gasly, and Nyck de Vries supported the idea of scrapping at least one free practice session. All three of them agreed that one practice session is enough for the drivers. De Vries further added that many times the feeder series teams only have one session to set their car up, suggesting that the Formula 1 teams can do that too.

On Sprint weekends, Friday will only have one practice session. It will be followed by the traditional qualification rounds to determine the grid order for the Sunday race. Saturday's first session could be a one-shot qualifying which will determine the grid for the Sprint Race that would follow later that day. Sundays will go as usual.

Of many opposers is Pirelli, the tire manufacturer of Formula 1. "We don't want to deliver more than twelve sets of tires per driver. It couldn't be any different in Baku. The sets are already on their way."

The plan has been proposed by Domenicali in the latest F1 Commission Meeting. It is understood that the teams have positive views about it. The details are now being discussed with the FIA. As per Auto Motorsport Germany, the FIA circle thinks that it's feasible, and if everything goes according to the plan, there could be an e-vote within the next two weeks.

The next race is four weeks from now at Baku, Azerbaijan - which is a sprint weekend.