Hulkenberg is worried that there are fewer practice sessions.
Nico Hülkenberg believes that Formula 1 needs to find a solution that would allow drivers to do more work on track in conditions where the number of tests has been reduced to a minimum, and now the number of practice sessions has also been cut.
On race weekends that include a sprint, there is a single 60-minute practice on Friday, after which qualifying takes place the same day to determine the starting order for the short Saturday race. In addition, over the course of the season the teams’ regular drivers give up their Friday seats at least a couple of times to young drivers who also need to gain experience.
“Basically I’m a fan of sprint races,” the German Sauber driver told RacingNews365. “I like these kinds of changes, I have nothing against them. Some circuits are better suited for them than others.
“Of course this topic is actively discussed in Formula 1, and finding the right balance between entertainment and top-level sport isn’t easy, but teams and drivers should have the opportunity to reach the required performance level.
“On the one hand, I’m always open to various changes and innovations, but we still need to provide enough time for practice. In the past, when Formula 1 was still taking shape, so many tests were conducted that now, by comparison, there are virtually none.
“Moreover, the time allocated for practice has already been reduced, and on sprint weekends we practise even less. It just seems to me that we probably need to analyse everything once more and adjust that balance so that we somehow get more time to work on the track.
“A lot also depends on the individual driver: sometimes you go out of the pits for the first practice and immediately feel comfortable in the car, everything is going well. Then you’re happy and you’re fine with a sprint ahead.
“But sometimes you don’t feel confident, and then you need more time to find a way with the car. And if the weekend includes a sprint, you don’t have that time. Then you face difficulties, you find yourself at a disadvantage.”
When asked what he imagined an ideal weekend format to be, he replied with a laugh: “Actually the ideal schedule would be one where we do without Thursday (that’s the day drivers meet the press) and get straight to work behind the wheel on Friday!”
Hülkenberg and the entire Sauber team are currently preparing for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, and this weekend work is organised according to the usual schedule, but from 2026 the Marina Bay round at the demanding street circuit will include a Saturday sprint.
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Hulkenberg is worried that there are fewer practice sessions.
Nico Hülkenberg believes a solution is needed whereby drivers would do more work on track in conditions where testing has been reduced to a minimum, and now the number of practice sessions has also been cut...