In a controversial move it has been announced that the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola will feature just one free practice session.

The news was confirmed this morning by the official F1 website which stated that when the event "was announced last month, organisers said the event would be a condensed two-day race weekend".

However, it is not the "organisers" who dictate the timetable, rather F1 and the FIA. Indeed, previously race organisers have resisted calls to move to a two-day weekend.

The schedule for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend will see a sole 90 minute practice session at 10:00 on Saturday morning, with qualifying at 14:00 in the afternoon.

F1 bosses have been keen to move to a two-day race weekend format in their bid to increase the number of events on the calendar, and the pandemic has effectively allowed them to push both proposals in through the back door.

Dropping two practice sessions at a circuit where contemporary F1 cars have not raced before and of which a number of drivers on the grid have little experience seems a strange move, particularly given the track's notorious history.

Surely, if F1 was determined to try the two day weekend it should have used the opportunity of the back-to-back events at the Red Bull Ring or Silverstone, as opposed to a track returning to the schedule following an absence of 14 years and for which there is little significant data available.

Perhaps the Grand Prix Drivers' Association shoud have words with the "organisers".

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by The stogie, 07/08/2020 0:04

"So they are having THREE practice sessions this weekend at a track they raced on just last week BUT only on session on a track they haven't raced on in fourteen years? Makes sense!! D'oh."

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2. Posted by Kkiirmki, 05/08/2020 0:36

"How is this in any way, shape or form, "rigged" in Ferrari's favour, kdxrider? If anything it's more detrimental to have less running, considering Ferrari's troubles this season. "

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3. Posted by kdxrider, 04/08/2020 21:12

"If that isn't 'rigged' in Ferrari's favour I don't know what is --- "

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4. Posted by Editor, 04/08/2020 16:12

"No doubt, if there are any 'issues', F1 will blame the "organisers", whereas this is simply Chase and the gang getting their way again as they continue to mold the sport to Liberty's vision."

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5. Posted by Greg, 04/08/2020 16:09

"Fully agree with Jet Jockey and Barslug. Dont change the firmat. The drivers need the times to help set up the car and also learn the circuits. Every motor sport does the same. Tracks vary with the weather conditions and other variables. "

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6. Posted by Barslug, 04/08/2020 15:55

"I came here to post my lengthy commentary on the subject but Jet Jockey covered it all in three words! "

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7. Posted by kenji, 04/08/2020 13:24

"If these cars are the best in the world and the drivers are of a similar ilk then one practice session will be good enough. Besides, it's possible that it will spice things up a bit after the latest majorly boring race at Silverstone."

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8. Posted by Jet Jockey, 04/08/2020 12:47

"Totally stupid move!"

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Imola to feature just one practice session

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