formula 1
Verstappen & Co. are etching against record calendars
Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen are not fans of the Formula 1 XXL calendar. Photo
© Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP/dpa
There will be 24 races this Formula 1 season – more than ever before. The pilots have long since reached their limits. They are already complaining before the third leg of the world tour.
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia. The world tour of the Formula 1 has just started. But the record calendar with 24 Grand Prix on almost all continents for the first time is already really annoying the stars around world champion Max Verstappen.
“I already have the feeling that we have far exceeded the limit of races,” criticized the Dutch Red Bull driver before the first race of the year in Bahrain. “Of course I know that I’m still very young, but I also know that I won’t be doing 24 races for another ten years.” Verstappen is 26.
Formula 1 circles the world five times
Formula 1 aspires to be a global sport. More than 200,000 kilometers are covered on the logistical tour from Abu Dhabi to Zandvoort, which is equivalent to five trips around the world. Despite all the luxury, especially for the stars and executives of the premier class of motorsport: it’s a drain on your strength.
“In my opinion, we have already gone too far,” said Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, whose participation in Melbourne this weekend is not certain due to the consequences of an appendix operation. “We are at the limit in terms of the number of races for team personnel, drivers, other Formula 1 employees, journalists and so on.”
Even 32 Grand Prix possible
Formula 1 is booming – and that is accelerating expansion. Because the fight for fractions of a second on the asphalt generates fat income and thus also fuels the protagonists’ salaries. “We could already have more than 30, even 32 races today because everyone wants to organize one,” said managing director Stefano Domenicali at the start of the season a year ago in the most tempting marketing manner. At the same time, the Italian describes 24 Grand Prix as appropriate for the foreseeable future. But when does Formula 1 see the next step in the future coming?
Sainz sees the risk that the premium product will be watered down. Formula 1 runs the risk of TV viewers “losing a little appetite,” he warned. “Formula 1 must remain exclusive.” The Spaniard, who will be displaced by record world champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next season, drew a comparison to the Champions League in football. “You don’t get those that often, and the highlights of these games connect people.” However, the premier football league has also become bloated over the years.
Formula 1 Wellbeing Manager
But the Formula 1 circus moves on. From Jeddah to Melbourne it is almost 13,000 kilometers as the crow flies. A Verstappen doesn’t have to fly in economy class, the stars enjoy the comfort of private jets. The teams have also long since taken care of the hearts and minds of all other employees. There are well-being managers for mechanics, data scientists etc. who also take care of sleeping habits in view of jet lag distances. The chefs, in turn, prepare soul food that is good for the soul. “You have to take care of the hard-working people,” emphasized Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.
There have also long been rotation systems for employees – even among managers at the command post. “If we get to the point where we rotate drivers, then we have gone too far,” said Sainz.
“Sustainability should be the focus”
This scenario is not realistic. Top drivers like Verstappen or Hamilton are not interchangeable because of their class. But the world tour is also a test for the environment. You also have to “think about the impact we have on the world,” noted Mercedes driver Hamilton. “The more races we hold, the more this whole circus travels everywhere. Sustainability should be at the heart of decisions.” In any case, Formula 1 wants to be climate neutral by 2030.
Fernando Alonso also thinks the 24 events this year are excessive. “This is not sustainable, for anyone,” criticized the Aston Martin driver from Spain. When Alonso made his Formula 1 debut in 2001, almost a quarter of a century ago, there were still 17 Grand Prix races. But the two-time world champion fears something completely different in view of Verstappen’s long-term dominance. “Imagine how we go into the races in the second half of the season,” said Alonso almost melancholy, “and then there would be no incentive to fight for anything.”