Lewis Hamilton has called for a radical shake-up over how Formula One grand prix weekends are formatted after Friday’s Chinese Grand Prix afternoon practice session had to be abandoned due to heavy rain and fog.

With the medical helicopter unable to land at the designated hospital in Shanghai 38km away, the session was not able to begin and as such, practice was limited to just 15 minutes of the three hours initially scheduled for Friday’s running.

Fans were left deeply frustrated with the lack of track action, which led Hamilton to take to the stands and hand out signed caps and give autographs for those who had made the effort to stay until the end of the day, and the three-time world champion called for the FIA to use the issues faced on Friday to bring in the changes that he insisted the sport needs.

“So sorry for all u [sic] either watching on TV or here at the track. We must find a solution to deal with weather issue,” Hamilton wrote on Twitter after the session was abandoned.

While some mocked the Mercedes driver for appearing to call for a way to avoid the impact of weather in an outside sport, the 31-year-old went on to elaborate that the entire weekend can be reduced to two days rather than three, with the qualifying session currently booked in for Saturday moved to Sunday morning before the grand prix itself.

Sat program: 3 practice sessions, qualifying Sunday morning and then race. Who's down for the switch up?” Hamilton asked. “Seriously tho [sic], this could actually be a blessing in disguise. A chance for new bosses to be proactive & be creative #switchitupF1 #bestfans.”

Formula One’s new owners, Liberty Media, were expected the shake-up how the sport is formatted along with plenty of over changes that it’s hoped will broaden the appeal of motorsport’s premier class. However, they have so far proven reluctant to make too many changes to how the sport is run, with the only notable change coming in the wider use of social media to help give F1 more exposure to fans worldwide.

All 10 teams met on Friday at the post-practice drivers’ briefing to discuss the possibility of moving the Chinese Grand Prix to Saturday, with more bad weather expected on Sunday afternoon. The low-lying fog that hit Shanghai meant that practice could not begin as the medical helicopter – used to transfer injured drivers for emergency treatment in the event of a serious crash – must be able to fly to the nearest hospital within 20 minutes.

Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Chinese Grand Prix Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Hamilton crosses the finish line to take victory in the Chinese Grand Prix Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Max Verstappen was able to hold off Daniel Ricciardo in a late intra-Red Bull challenge Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Hamilton controlled the race form the front as he led every lap Reuters Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Kimi Raikkonen struggled as he was passed by Vettel, Verstappen and Ricciardo Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Max Verstappen lit up Shanghai by passing nine cars on the first lap of the Chinese Grand Prix EPA Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Valterri Bottas had to fight back through the field after spinning behind the safety car Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton took the 54th Grand Prix victory of his career Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Antonio Giovinazzi lost control of his Sauber on the start-finish straight Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Anonio Giovinazzi climbs out of his Sauber after crashing early on Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Lance Stroll was too overeager on the opening lap and paid the price Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel saw his shot at Lewis Hamilton robbed by the safety car Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix The start of the Chinese Grand Prix saw the rare sight of a standing grid in wet conditions Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Saturday qualifying Hamilton celebrates after putting his Mercedes on pole position AFP Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Saturday qualifying Hamilton qualified for the second Grand Prix in succession. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday second practice Lewis Hamilton took to the track to sign caps and throw them to fans after practice was cancelled Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday second practice Lewis Hamilton tweeted his ideas for how Formula One could be improved through a shorter weekend Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Max Verstappen set the fastest time in first practice. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Lewis Hamilton chose not to set a time despite taking to the track. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Fernando Alonso ended the session in seventh place for McLaren. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Felipe Massa navigates his way through the rain. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Nico Hulkenberg spun out of first practice. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Max Verstappen was more then 1.5 seconds quicker than any other driver in first practice. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Stoffel Vandoorne wait to leave the pits. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Felipe Massa sits and waits on the Williams pit wall as the rain continues to fall. Getty

Moving this weekend’s Grand Prix to Saturday would likely have seen the third practice session cancelled to make way for an earlier qualifying session, meaning that teams would have experienced just 15 minutes of running before the shootout to decide the grid, with six drivers – including Lewis Hamilton – yet to post a lap time.