Vettel not sold on Liberty 2021 proposal

Sebastian Vettel has warned against changing the format of grand prix weekends, with Liberty Media reportedly lining up a vast shake-up of track time from 2021 and beyond. Cutting down practice sessions and introducing a sprint race akin to Formula 2 are reportedly high on Liberty's agenda.

Daniel Ricciardo has recently spoken in favour of a change to the format of Formula 1 weekends, claiming there is a need to cut down on "laps of nonsense".

However, Vettel believes sprint races will not add to the excitement of F1 weekends and says the challenge of F1 as it is should be cherished.

"I think the format is fine. I think it's wrong to look at changing the format," Vettel said.

"It's not my decision so it's a bit pointless to talk about it but I wouldn't be a fan. I think it has been like that for a long time for a reason.

"I think the 300km Grand Prix is a Grand Prix. If you should make it half, then maybe for some people then a boring race is only half as boring but that's not the way I look it.

"I think it's a challenge, it's a Grand Prix distance, when you do your first race and you're surprised by how long the race can be and that's a physical and mental challenge for that duration and I think it if it becomes a sprint race, I think it would be a different sport in a way. I wouldn't mess with the format.

"I think we need to find other ways to get excitement and get the grid together and whatever but not the format."