The sport's governing body, the FIA,
has confirmed the format for grand prix race weekends in 2004 at
its October World Council meeting.
As expected, Friday's private test session has been
ditched in favour of two one-hour free practice periods. Friday
qualifying has also gone, to make way for a new procedure on Saturday
which will feature two separate runs for each car.
Teams finishing in the bottom six positions in the
2003 World Championship will be permitted to run a third car in
the Friday sessions, which will be exempt from the livery restrictions
that apply to its racecars.
The new timetable will be as follows...
Friday
Free practice – 11.00-12.00
Free practice – 14.00-15.00
Saturday
Free practice – 10.00-10.45
Free practice – 11.15-12.00
Qualifying – 14.00
Sunday
Race – 14.00 (or at other times according to relevant
schedule) |