MAX VERSTAPPEN REVEALS HIS IDEAL FORMULA 1 WEEKEND FORMAT
Max Verstappen has explained how he would change the Formula 1 weekend format if he had the power to do so. Speaking to Matt and Tommy on the P1 Podcast, the four-time World Champion said his ideal weekend would begin on Saturday morning with one free practice session, followed by qualifying, before the Grand Prix on Sunday.
“You arrive Saturday morning, FP1, qualifying and then the race on Sunday,” Verstappen said. The Red Bull driver explained that his preference comes mainly from the driver’s point of view rather than from the commercial side of Formula 1.
Verstappen also acknowledged why Formula 1 has moved towards the Sprint format. He understands that the sport wants Friday, Saturday and Sunday to offer competitive action for fans at the circuit and for television audiences. He said that Sprint weekends can be more enjoyable for many people because they provide more racing during the weekend.
However, Verstappen said he would still remove at least one of the three traditional free practice sessions. On a normal Formula 1 weekend, teams have three one-hour practice sessions before qualifying. The first two normally take place on Friday, while the third is held on Saturday before qualifying.
“Three can become a bit boring,” Verstappen explained. He added that the need for practice can also depend on how well a team understands its car. If a team has a good understanding of its package, he believes one of the sessions could be removed without creating a major problem.
The current Sprint format already reduces practice time. On a Sprint weekend, there is only one 60-minute free practice session before Sprint Qualifying on Friday. The Sprint takes place on Saturday morning, followed by Grand Prix Qualifying later that day, with the main race remaining on Sunday.
The Sprint format was introduced in 2021 and has continued to expand. Six Sprint weekends are scheduled for the 2026 season, while Formula 1 has already announced 10 Sprint events for 2027. Formula 1 says data from recent seasons shows that Sprint weekends have attracted higher viewership than traditional weekends.
A Sprint weekend also changes the amount of competitive running available to drivers. The Sprint is held over 100 kilometres and awards points to the top eight finishers, with eight points for the winner and one for eighth place. This gives drivers another opportunity to score points before Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Verstappen has previously been critical of the Sprint format, particularly when it is used at circuits where overtaking is difficult. At the same time, his latest comments show that he understands the reasons behind Formula 1’s decision to create more competitive sessions across the weekend.
Share this content:
