F1 returns to old format: Friday practice sessions back to 90 minutes
- GPblog.com
Before the start of the 2021 season, the FIA announced that Friday free practice sessions would no longer be 90 minutes, but 60 minutes. This will be reversed in the new season.
The new sporting regulations of 2022 state that the first and second free practice sessions on Friday will again last an hour and a half, as we are used to from previous years. The third free practice on Saturday will remain unchanged, as it has always lasted 60 minutes.
The practice hours were reduced in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic and to try and get the track buiser. The season was considered an interim year. This also delayed the rule changes, which will finally take effect in 2022.
Three days of F1
Another change to the format is the media days. Last year's Formula One weekend still lasted four days, because media and sports activities were scheduled on the Thursday. In 2022, this will be reversed to three days. However, the teams will have the opportunity to organize something themselves, but the official press conference will no longer take place.