Formula One Chiefs Set to Discuss GP Format

The future of Formula One's Grand Prix weekends will be discussed at a meeting of team chiefs and the sport's leading powerbrokers on Wednesday.

FIA president Max Mosley and vice-president Bernie Ecclestone are expected to attend the meeting, with an FIA spokesperson confirming that the London meeting would involve initial discussions on Grand Prix events, adding: "It will maybe develop an agenda for the future of Formula One."

Several team bosses, including McLaren chief Ron Dennis and Ferrari's Jean Todt, have previously discussed shortening the three-day Grand Prix weekend to just Saturday and Sunday.

Proposals for a ban on testing at Grand Prix circuits, and a total testing ban during August, will also be discussed.

Teams are currently able to test at tracks up to one week before races, which has led to them finding the ideal set-up for their cars before arriving for events, thus rendering Friday practice pointless. A ban on testing at Grand Prix circuits would make Friday sessions relevant again.

Mosley, however, argued: "Two days is adequate for a world-class sporting event. But I expect it will be far too radical for the competing teams to accept."

Alternatively, the FIA could make both Friday and Saturday times count for qualifying. Saturday's current one-hour battle for pole position, however, draws big television audiences and the organisation may not want to risk altering it.

Frenchman Alain Prost, chairman of Prost Grand Prix who will be attending the meeting, said: "My suggestion last year was to have both qualifying on Friday and Saturday, and to combine the two sessions. It could be quite interesting.

"There might be some fresh ideas put forward, but I don't think we should keep the situation as it is."