When F1 announced earlier this week that the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend will feature just one practice session, Pitpass was among the very first to criticise the move.

Ignoring the fact that F1 appears to be placing responsibility for the move on the race organisers, the fact is that Imola hasn't hosted F1 cars in anger for 14 years, and many of the current drivers have little experience of the infamous Italian track, far less in F1 machinery. Indeed, Kimi Raikkonen is the only driver on the 2020 grid who has raced an F1 car at Imola.

Speaking ahead of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix weekend, Mas Verstappen described the move as "stupid".

"If we would have had it on a track that we know and we have been driving with the cars we have nowadays, I think it's not a problem at all," said the Dutch youngster.

"At the end, it's the same for everyone," he continued, "so there is no problem with that, I just think it's a bit wrong.

"Give us two sessions to just sort a few things out, just make sure everything is working well instead of just one session.

"The two-day format, I don't really care," he added, "but give us two practice sessions. Even better is to do two one-hour sessions than one one-and-a-half. I think it's a bit stupid."

Asked if he was excited at the prospect of racing there, he admitted: "I'm very excited to go racing there... I just think it's a bit wrong how they did it. It's a shame. It's a great track."

Sebastian Vettel admits that teams will be under pressure to find the right set-up.

"I guess we all get the same amount of time to get into a rhythm, and head into qualifying," he said. "It should be exciting.

"I don't know how many tyres we will have or which sort of tyres yet," he added. "It will be more important probably to just get enough time on the track to get used to it.

"There is less time to set up the car, but nowadays anyway we know where the car has to be. If something feels a bit wrong, you normally get a chance overnight, which now you don't. But the rest will be similar."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 09/08/2020 3:17

"@Jet Jockey....Verstappen is an F1 God and gods only need one practice session....that's why they exist!!"

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2. Posted by kenji, 09/08/2020 3:15

"Vinodh Moodly....Read my post again and then consider your response. If there is only one practice session then it's the same for everyone..no? What i said was that if all drivers are the combined best in the world then they should be able to cope with just one practice..no? And if that one practice results in a better mix of teams and drivers then it just might shake the order up a bit...no? Please don't insinuate that you have any idea what i might do regarding watching the races. 80%+ of last weeks Silverstone race was boringly processional. Check Brundle et al to confirm."

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3. Posted by Jet Jockey, 07/08/2020 11:21

"Totally agree with Max..."

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4. Posted by Vinodh Moodley, 07/08/2020 7:28

"@kenji You prefer having one practice session because you don’t like Mercedes winning? If F1 is so boring for you, please go watch something else. I’m sure you’ll be back very quickly. "

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5. Posted by kenji, 07/08/2020 1:42

"The best drivers in the world? They should be able to cope, besides, if it mixes up the field it will be a very good thing for F1. Speaking for myself ,i am totally bored with MB and their total, complete and unassailable advantage that they exhibit week after week ,relentlessly. It's long past time for a new challenge but where could it come from? Unfortunately it's destined to be same old same old for the foreseeable future. Boobloodyhoo."

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6. Posted by KKK, 06/08/2020 19:08

"Whats the saying? Act in haste , repent in leisure? F1 cars havnt been at Imola for so long that there is no data. They should have more practice sesssions."

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Sole practice session at Imola is "stupid", says Verstappen

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