Williams boss James Vowles believes that two-day race weekends would allow F1 bosses to extend the calendar.

Putting aside the fact the quality should take precedence over quantity the fact is that the sport's powers that be want more races, for not only would that mean more income from promoters but increased revenue from broadcasters and more opportunities to flog various crap to the ever changing demographic.

The Concorde Agreement that binds the sport currently limits the schedule to 24 races but with countries said to be queueing up to host a round of the world championship it is clear that sooner or later the subject is going to come up for discussion again.

Most drivers have said the 24 is more than enough, but with the thought of all that money the teams are going to be sorely tempted.

Vowles believes that reducing race weekends to two days might offer a solution.

"I don't think we have too many races," he tells the Business of Sport podcast, "but I would not go above where we are at the moment because we're asking people at home to be there for half a year. Half your weekends are spent watching Formula 1. I think that's about the extreme end of where you can go to.

However...

"I would change - and this is very much my opinion," he stresses, "I would change to two-day weekends. I would do Saturday and Sunday.

"And here's the reason why; we can do more at that point in time. I know I just said 24 rounds is the maximum, but I actually wouldn't be concerned about the fact because we've given back Friday, which is one day.

"If you added another two race weekends in, you'd still be net in the same amount of time that you were previously.

"I think we can commercialise it in a different way," he adds. "But, more than that, I think the product will be better because we do a lot of practice at the moment. Now, if you force us, you get one hour before qualifying, and that's it. That's quite a different proposition. So, I think you'll get more variability and more randomness that comes out of it."

F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has already made clear that he feels practice sessions are a waste of time - an opinion he didn't voice while team boss at Ferrari - and Sprint weekends do away with two of the sessions.

However, quite how teams would manage with just one practice session at every event doesn't bear thinking about, and, using his own team's fortunes this year as an example, perhaps Vowles should be considering four-day weekends.

Then again, be it a three-day, two-day or one-day event the travel logistics involved would be just the same.

Furthermore, how many of the existing hosts and promoters, not to mention those queuing up, would be interested in an event that only lasts a weekend, most are in it to encourage tourism, however a two day event somewhat compromises this.

One cannot help but feel that the former Mercedes strategist is echoing the thoughts of his former boss.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by JamesD, 29/09/2025 10:24

"@KKK - I can understand where you're coming from with regards to Vegas & Miami but I think you're missing out not watching the COTA race.

Yes, some of the events surrounding the race and parades on the grid can be a bit tacky but it's a superb circuit."

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2. Posted by Chester, 27/09/2025 11:44

"I guess I think differently than many here. I love the three day weekends, but I also attend at least one race live each year.

And for those who think COTA is tacky, I'll say that for me COTA is superior to any of the F1 tracks I've been to. Name a track where you can see almost the entire circuit from your seat.

I have not been to Spa so it is excluded from my superior measure."

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3. Posted by Superbird70, 26/09/2025 23:43

"Or maybe do like Indycar and have two races at select tracks? Potentially 6 US races think of that? "

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4. Posted by BillH, 26/09/2025 23:08

"Why not pracitse/quali/sprint on Friday, race on Saturday and leave Sunday as rookie/test day a few times a year? Sunday could also be a "reserve day" should something like heavy rain affect race day.
Saturday racing would help with time zones that are well ahead of many of the races today.
Actually, if two day weekends become vogue, Sprint races may not be viable what with squeezing in 1 practise, quali then Sprint on day 1. Quali may need to on the morning of Day 2, which might not be a bad thing either."

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5. Posted by ffracer, 26/09/2025 18:09

"Saturday Sunday/2 day weekends would be great for the fans and if there are more official test days for teams (to constantly test new parts/new drivers) would be a win win.
days "

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6. Posted by Burton, 26/09/2025 14:33

"aeiou likes the sound of his own voice too much"

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7. Posted by Editor, 26/09/2025 13:09

"@ KKK

"Tacky"?

What the hell do you mean by tacky????

https://www.pitpass.com/81165/Hello-Kitty-says-F1-Academy
"

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8. Posted by Superbird70, 26/09/2025 13:04

"So 3x24=72 is the same as 2X26=52? Hmm, Williams must still be using Lotus 1-2-3."

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9. Posted by KKK, 26/09/2025 12:55

"As Maggie Thatcher said: NO NO NO.
we have too many races as it is. When it was 16 a year I probably would have watched 14, now with 20 odd I watch and follow 3, miss all the America ones because they are just tacky"

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Vowles proposes two-day race weekends

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