Haas boss Guenther Steiner says Formula 1 should consider more two-day race weekends in 2021 to counter the expansion of the championship’s calendar.
Formula 1’s provisional 2021 calendar features 23 events, the most in history, and includes a pair of triple header events after the four-week summer break.
Formula 1 has traditionally held on-track running across three days at each grand prix but condensed Imola’s return to just two days owing to logistical difficulties.
It meant there was only one practice session, of length 90 minutes, on Saturday morning prior to the usual format for qualifying and the race.
Steiner has suggested that the Imola format should be replicated at a handful of 2021 events in order to better manage the 23-race schedule.
“I think you have to assume all the races will happen – so we have to plan with that one,” said Steiner.
“I think it will be tough, we will need to get organised on it.
“Hopefully we can agree to have some races just Saturday and Sunday, a shorter weekend, that would help, for what we are doing, especially the second half of the season next year.
“The first half doesn’t seem to be too frightening but the second half is a bit tough with the two triple headers in a row. Let’s see what the details are and then we will adapt.”
Haas has one of the lowest headcounts of any Formula 1 team but Steiner suggested that benching travelling personnel brings added risk.
“We do it [the races] with one group of people but maybe we change some individuals if we can, but it is always difficult,” he said.
“We have the pit stops and stuff like that and if you disturb that synergy between the people it is difficult to manage, there is a higher risk something goes wrong.
“The ideal scenario is to have the same people but give them more time off between the races – that would be better for the team.
“I think the triple header by no means ideal but I think they are necessary if you want to do 23 races.
“We also want to have a few weeks off in August, if we want to do that [then] we have to live with the downside of doing the triple header.
“What we need to [do is] manage people and give them time off when they are not racing. Maybe they work more intensely for a short period of time but then have more time off.”
