Williams: two-day weekends possible

That is the view of team boss Frank Williams, who thinks that the time has come for the sport's bosses to consider changing the format of grands prix.

Fears about the reliability of engines that need to last for two race weekends makes teams reluctant to get their cars out onto the track on Fridays - which makes the first day of action a damp squib for spectators. The situation has been exacerbated by the return of tyre changes, as teams prefer to keep new sets for the race rather than waste them in practice.

Williams said: "I feel that with the restriction on engine mileage to do two races, and whatever it becomes in the future, the chance of ever making Friday a major event are becoming more slim.

"So maybe it is better, to get cars onto the track and to keep the costs down, to do what the teams have wanted to do for a long time which is to make it a test day and reduce the summer testing.

"You will then get a lot of cars out all the time on the Friday with the foresight and reality to see what is going to happen on Sunday."

The change to the grand prix format would need the support of a majority of teams, but could be put in place for next year if it was agreed before October.

When asked whether he believed it was a possibility, Williams said: "Gradually it is gaining momentum and it depends on what Bernie wants as well.

"Bernie has not stated his hand clearly but I think there is enough weight of desire to have Friday as a test day and that is fine by me."