They run just the first practice session of the weekend. Testing of current cars is extremely limited these days so it’s a developmental opportunity and evaluation tool for young drivers. And if a driver wants to pay a team for a session that doesn’t hurt either, provided the team is confident enough they won’t crash the car.
Agreed on the reconfiguration, this track is way faster and more racey without the clunky bits. The added sweepers allow for side-by-side racing, especially the wide long one at turn 9.
This isn’t true. The 4th, 5th, and 6th-placed teams in the WCC had higher points totals this year than last, and that’s by making progress on Ferrari and Mercedes from last season. Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin were covered by an average of two tenths on race pace over the course of the season. There were more unique podium finishers this year (11) than last (7). The top 10-12 as a group was generally much more competitive this year.
