Steiner: 'Quicker and bolder decisions' required for two-day GPs

©Haas

Haas boss Guenther Steiner says two-day race weekends in F1 force teams "to fly by the seat of their pants" and make quicker and bolder decisions.

Teams will experience a two-day schedule at the Emilia Romagna GP at Imola next week. But everyone had a chance to sample a compressed timetable at the Eifel GP when Friday's running at the Nürburgring was lost to fog and rain.

Steiner says the reduced program offered some challenges reminiscent of his earlier days in the sport.

"The biggest challenge was to wait out Friday not knowing what to do," Steiner said. "That was – I wouldn’t say challenging, but it was boring, and not well invested time.

"I think we adapted well, and it’s more like the old days of racing – you have to be a lot quicker in thinking what to do and making bolder decisions, hoping you don’t get them wrong.

"You don’t have that much time to look at data, you need to go a little bit by the seat of your pants. I think our guys did a good job on that one."

©Haas

During its efforts to rebuild a 2020 calendar following the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Formula 1 cut short the Emilia Romagna GP weekend to lighten the burden on teams confronted with back-to-back events at Portimão and Imola.

Steiner commented on the pros and cons of a two-day format for the F1 community.

"In my own opinion, a two-day event works well," said the Italian. "It allows us to get more races in, which in turn means more fans around the world could get the chance to see us.

"The cons, which I don’t know if they’re cons – that’s for Formula 1 to look into it, its for the promoters, as a Friday gives more possibilities to get fans in. Financially it’s a good day for them.

Read also: Steiner says Haas will stay loyal to Ferrari

"I don’t know all these things as I’m not involved in them, but on the sheer practical side of going racing, I have nothing against two-day events.

"Maybe some events we go to we could put on a Thursday and Friday test – we can make something out like we do with pre-season testing and the broadcasting of that.

"These are just ideas, I don’t know if they make sense but maybe we should look into that."

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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.