Formula 1 may shorten races: ex-driver Montoya supports the idea.

Comments from Juan Pablo Montoya on the plans to shorten races in Formula 1

According to The Sun: Former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya shared his thoughts on the possible changes to the race format. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali noted that the shorter attention spans of young viewers could prompt changes.

Plans to shorten races and sprints

Bold changes are being proposed, such as canceling practice sessions, shortening race durations, increasing the number of sprints, and even reversing the grids. The sprint calendar for the 2026 season was recently announced, with the British Grand Prix returning as one of six sprint races.

Sport executives are negotiating with the FIA, teams, and drivers to expand the sprint calendar, aiming to increase their number to 12 by 2027.

Montoya supports changes but warns of risks

Montoya, who won seven races from 2001 to 2006, is in favor of making races more exciting but urges to avoid convoluted technical innovations.

“I agree, but it depends on the level of excitement of the race, as sometimes races go by in a way that overtaking is impossible, and then you have to think: 'When will this end?'”

“It’s interesting how they talk about sprints. If they are perceived as more appealing, then it makes sense to consider shortening races.”

“Domenicali and Liberty understand that, while drivers may have their opinions, F1 is a show.”

Montoya believes that the DRS system, which he initially considered “a joke,” has proven its effectiveness, but he warns of potential boredom from new elements that may not engage the youth.

“I think F1 is a very good product right now. Next year with the new cars will be exciting.”

Risks and innovations in Formula 1 racing

Montoya calls for ways to “manipulate tires” to make races more interesting, explaining that soft tires need to be developed to provide optimal results for several laps. At the same time, he emphasizes that creating fast tires that do not break is a challenging task.

“No matter what you do, there will always be someone dissatisfied.”

Montoya also notes that “the closer to the races,” the better it is, and the more entertainment, the better for the viewers.

Changes in Formula 1 are driven by the desire to adapt to new viewer demands and maintain interest in this motorsport. The discussions about shortening races and introducing new formats highlight a change in the decision-making approach, where the opinions of both the drivers and fans play a crucial role. All of this indicates that Formula 1 is trying to remain relevant and attractive to new generations of viewers.