Formula One may drop a practice session and trim Grand Prix weekends

Montreal F1 Circuit

Formula One, in order to reduce its costs, is planning to drop a practice session and also trim Grand Prix weekends from four days to three.

With the proposal yet to be given the nod, the technical directors present in the Montreal Circuit said that they were very well aware of the plan but even as the practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix is underway.

"From a technical point of view we just have to work out how to deal with it. Do a little bit better homework, you've got one less session," said Ferrari's Pat Fry.

Currently the Grand Prix weekend begins on Thursday with a driver media session followed by two practice sessions on Friday and a qualifier on Saturday.

But if the proposal comes into play then the Grand Prix driver media session would shift to Friday, with only one practice session later during the day followed by a qualifier.

It is believed that the introduction of the proposal would help in reducing travel and hotel costs along with extra wear and tear that the expensive engines undergo.

"I think the rationale is to reduce the workload on the cars significantly through the weekend and also reduce the consumption of parts, particularly the power units which are one of the major costs for all the teams," said Mercedes technical director Paddy Lowe. "That is the concept.”

According to a report by BBC, the Formula One’s Strategy Group which comprises of Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Lotus, Williams, Mercedes as well as Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA president Jean Todt have already agreed to the proposal.

The proposal will still require approval by the Formula One Commission and needs to be ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.