There's often talk of reducing the number of practices, adding a second race on Saturday, and whatnot. I've done some thinking, let me know what you think about this:
Friday:
60 minutes free practice
60 minutes free practice for third drivers only
Saturday:
Current-style 3-step elimination qualifying
40 minute race for third drivers only, using a reverse grid based on the average qualifying time of the regular two drivers
Sunday:
Current-style 90 minute race
This would give drivers less practice, give third drivers more experience, and provide audiences with roughly the same amount of ontrack action.
I know technically a team can only have a single third driver, but do you mean just one guy (or gal) per team or are we talking two each to give a grid of twenty?
A grid of 10 was my original idea, but perhaps a grid of 20 could work. The problem then is that you would need to readjust two cars between every session rather than just the one.
A grid of 10 is small, but for a 40 minute sprint on ultras (no pit stops) it could work.
Need to switch off DRS (or only have it active on fairly short straights) otherwise the Merc/Ferrari/Red Bull guys will cruise to the front of every race. Engines (power units) are the big issue to overcome: extra wear and tear not going to be popular with the main drivers. What you really want is for everyone to bring a third car.