Nico Hulkenberg voices concern over developing F1 dilemma

Nico Hulkenberg has called on F1 to find solutions to boost track time for drivers amid a reduction of testing and practice sessions.

In-season testing has been abolished in recent years, with the only official test sessions being the pre-season and post-season outings.

Sprint weekends provide drivers just 60 minutes of practice before they jump into the competitive sessions for the weekend.

Full-time drivers are also required to hand over their cars to rookie drivers at two events per season.

While Hulkenberg is content with the sprint format playing a role in F1's future, he voiced concern over how little time drivers have to test the cars.

“In principle, I'm a fan of sprint races,” Hulkenberg exclusively told RacingNews365. “I like the change-up, I don't mind them.

“Some tracks are a bit more suited than others. It's obviously a topic for F1 and not an easy challenge to find the right balance between entertainment and the high-performance sport, to give teams and drivers the opportunity to find the ultimate performance.

“Whilst I feel I'm always open for changes and new stuff, we also still somewhat need decent practice time.

“If you see where the sport came from, how much testing there used to be - now there's virtually none.

“Plus, there's reduced practice time already. Sprint weekends, you have even less practice.

“I just feel maybe there needs to be looked at or balanced somewhere that we get some track time somewhere else.”

Nico Hulkenberg highlights greatest challenge with F1 sprint format

Currently, F1 sprint races are held at six weekends per year, but the sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali has admitted their popularity could see the figure increased to as many as 12 going forward.

Hulkenberg suggested the format can resemble a lottery, as a strong FP1 is crucial for a successful weekend. 

“It also depends on the driver, sometimes you go out in FP1 and you click with the car immediately and everything's good, you're happy, the sprint is perfect,” he said.

“But sometimes you go in and it doesn't sit well, you need some more time to work your way in.

“If you don't have a sprint, you don't have that time. So then it’s difficult, you're on the back foot.”

While the on-track action begins on Friday, drivers are required to be present at the track on Thursday to carry out various media duties.

Hulkenberg, however, would have no issue with Thursday being stripped from the weekend schedule.

“A perfect weekend actually would be without Thursday [media day] and straight into Friday!” Hulkenberg laughed.