Wolff against scrapping Friday track action in F1

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Toto Wolff believes that scrapping Friday's practice sessions would reduce the value of F1, but the Mercedes boss is open to a shortened opening day schedule on Grand Prix weekends.

Formula 1's chiefs recently sounded out the teams on the prospect of tweaking Friday's timing, while initial discussions about discarding the day altogether appear to have been abandoned.

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"We did that in the DTM many years ago and it felt like the weekend was not spectacular and special anymore," said Wolff, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"If it's cut short to two days it takes some value out of a race weekend and Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motor racing, and it’s the world championship among engineers, drivers and the best teams.

"Therefore, that is a thing I wouldn't change - I would leave it on Friday."

A look back at past Fridays in F1 when running was limited by adverse weather conditions suggests that restricted track action often leads to more entertaining races.

Wolff's accepts that potential cause and effect relationship, but teh Austrian would rather consider a few changes to the Friday timetable.

"When you're not able to tune your car that well, then you have more gaps," he said.

"Whether that is the reason why some teams are falling away and others are doing better, I'm not entirely sure, but it could well be the case.

"What we can think about is cutting a session short on Friday or reducing the running time to 60 and 60 minutes rather than 90 minutes," he added.

"These are things that are worth considering but I wouldn't go for a radical cancellation of the Friday."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.