Drivers to face unique challenge at Imola as organisers confirm race will have only one practice session

The Formula 1 drivers will face a unique challenge for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being held at Imola on November 1st, when they will have only one practice session to dial in their cars ahead of qualifying.

The race at Imola was added to the calendar as part of the rejigged 2020 season in response to the coronavirus pandemic - the first time the Italian track will host a Grand Prix since 2006.

When it was announced last month, organisers said the event would be a condensed two-day race weekend, and today the session times for the weekend have been confirmed.

READ MORE: Formula 1 adds Portimao, Nurburgring and 2-day event in Imola to 2020 race calendar

The format allows for a single practice session on Saturday morning at 10am local time – instead of the usual three spread across Friday and Saturday – meaning the drivers will have just 90 minutes to get a feel for the track and to finalise their car set-up. Qualifying will follow at 2pm local time.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will be the third race of the year in Italy, following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello - both being held in September.

The Imola race will follow rounds at the Nurburgring, on October 11th - the first time the German track has held a Grand Prix since 2013 - and the Portuguese Grand Prix being held at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, which is hosting an F1 race for the very first time.

As stated previously, Formula 1 expects the revised 2020 season to have between 15 to 18 races, ending in the Gulf region in mid-December, with final details of the 2020 calendar to be announced in the coming weeks.

READ MORE: 6 reasons to be excited about the three new additions to F1’s 2020 race calendar