F1 debates GP duration: Are races too long for the new audience?
Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, has admitted that the length of Grand Prix races is under review. A significant portion of the audience now prefers to watch only the highlights, prompting F1 management to evaluate how the sport can better appeal to this growing fan segment.
Domenicali, when speaking, often provokes debate—especially among longtime F1 fans—but he is never banal. In a recent interview with a select group of media outlets, including Motorsport.com, the F1 CEO touched on several topics that are likely to receive both praise and criticism.
The length of Sunday races
One of the main points under discussion is the duration of Sunday Grands Prix. F1 is increasingly focused on attracting new fans while maintaining the interest of long-standing enthusiasts who value the traditional format that has defined the sport for decades.
Research shows that many fans prefer watching only the key moments of races, which currently cover 300 kilometers and last between one and a half hours on dry tracks to up to two hours in wet conditions or during significant events such as accidents or red flags.
“There’s also the issue of race length: we believe it may be a bit too long for younger fans. On many of our channels, we see that highlight reels are extremely popular. For those of us who grew up with the traditional format, it all seems fine, but there’s a large audience segment that wants to watch just the key moments,” Stefano Domenicali stated, speaking directly and candidly.
He added, “Everything is going very well today, but precisely for this reason, we cannot rest on our laurels; we need to think about the next steps.” This short statement has already sparked significant discussion among fans and media alike.
Sprint weekends and changes in free practice sessions
Alongside the discussion on race length, Stefano Domenicali also addressed the possible expansion of sprint weekends and the resulting reduction in free practice sessions. “There is a discussion about the future format for upcoming years, starting with sprint weekends. We need to consider whether to increase them, how to increase them, and whether to adopt different formats from the current ones. We are having discussions with the teams to determine the direction to take. Apart from some more traditional fans, the audience increasingly wants sprint weekends, promoters push for this format, and now even drivers are showing interest,” he explained.
“We must also consider that teams today have incredible simulation tools, and many tasks can be done differently than a few years ago. We need to imagine what will be possible in car preparation with the growing implementation of artificial intelligence. Returning to the fans, everyone wants to see drivers on track competing for results, whether in qualifying, a sprint race, or a full Grand Prix,” Stefano Domenicali continued.
“Promoters and fans want to see action, and now that they understand it’s possible, our surveys show that the vast majority of the audience wants to watch drivers fight for results. Simply put, they are tired of free practice sessions. This is an objective fact we cannot ignore.”
The future of Formula 1 content
Looking ahead, Formula 1 could become a faster sport—not in lap times, but in the way it delivers content to fans. In a world where media has the lifespan of a blink of an eye, F1 may need to condense the excitement into shorter, more intense experiences.
However, questions remain about whether a shorter format can capture the same level of excitement as a 300-kilometer race. For now, this remains an ongoing discussion, with no immediate changes decided.
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