John N
Formula 1 race weekends might look a little different from 2022 onwards, following a tweak to the schedule in the sport’s latest ruleset. Ahead of the season opener, these are the changes to the race weekend schedule
- System Checks and Engineering Meeting Now Thursday
Thursday will now see a later start, which will allow some teams to fly some of their staff in on Wednesday to prepare for European events, so they don’t have to worry about traveling on Tuesday night. A 3.5-hour window has been marked out for team track walks, while the FIA will conduct their checks and track inspections while teams complete their engineering meetings. Traditionally, teams have had their entire staff at the track from early on Thursday morning, with media duties taking up most of the day. However, this year’s pre-race driver press conference has been moved to Friday morning.
- Media Day Now Friday
The drivers’ press conference will take place on Friday. It will last two hours and must finish 90 minutes before the first practice. The free practice sessions—as with all free practice sessions—will last one hour but will take place at different times later than they did before. The second practice will follow two hours after the conclusion of free practice 1 and the driver’s briefing will be 90 minutes after the chequered flag falls for free practice 2
- Team Principals Media Briefing Holds On Saturday
Formula 1 Principals’ press conference – which was previously held on Friday morning and broadcast between practice sessions – is moved to Saturday morning, 1.5 hours before final practice 3 (FP3) begins. Qualifying continues to be the first track activity of the day on Saturday, with the race following a couple of hours later.
- Sunday Remains Unchanged
The highlight of the weekend – the Grand Prix – remains the main event on Sunday, with its exact time depending on where the race is located and what time zone it is in. The drivers’ parade – in which all 20 jump on a low-loader truck or take a seat in a classic car to lap the circuit while being interviewed – remains, and will be two hours before the lights go out.
