Race in Abu Dhabi
Life in the time zones: Formula 1 final becomes a stress test
World champion Max Verstappen is struggling with the Formula 1 calendar planning. photo
© Andre Penner/AP/dpa
They shouldn’t be afraid of microsleep. The trip from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi at the end of the season caused problems for the Formula 1 staff. Things could get even more intense in 2024.
The drivers groan in search of the lost half day, the entire day Formula 1 staff pull themselves together again for the finale.
Before the winter break and the upcoming record season with 24 race weekends, the last Grand Prix of the 2023 season with a twelve-hour time difference from Las Vegas in the Nevada desert to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates will push everyone to their limits – both physically and physically logistical. “It’s a bit hard to understand what time zone you are in,” said world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull: “It’s also not particularly sustainable. Not even for the body.”
Russell’s journey ends at the 24-hour restaurant
“It’s pretty brutal for everyone,” said George Russell from Mercedes on Thursday, reporting on his travel experiences, which culminated in a 24-hour restaurant. “An eye-opening experience,” said the Brit from Mercedes with a smile at the official press conference at the Yas Marina Circuit. Colleague Esteban Ocon from Alpine had to miss his PK participation – the Frenchman wasn’t feeling well. It was unclear whether this had anything to do with the stress of traveling.
The difference could hardly be more stark: there is a twelve hour time difference between Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. It was quite cool in the Nevada desert in the evening and night, with single-digit temperatures.
On Yas Island, in the immediate vicinity of a huge water world with countless slides, it gets around 30 degrees during the day. The race starts at 5 p.m. local time and is therefore still in the daylight, and the race ends under floodlights. It will still be well over 20 degrees warm.
“We will be destroyed”
Just hold on one more time and it’s done, but the prospect of the coming year makes the level of exertion even higher. 24 races are planned, with three races on three consecutive weekends at the end: Las Vegas, Qatar, Abu Dhabi.
“I don’t agree with that. We will be destroyed,” predicted Alpha Tauris veteran Daniel Ricciardo. The 34-year-old Australian, who is known for his quick sayings and good mood, expressed in his own way how they felt just in Las Vegas after the night’s training: “I think we all fantasized and hallucinated a bit.”
Slept like a baby
But it’s not just the drivers who have to face the final stressful week. They earn a lot of money, sometimes travel on private planes and often stay in feel-good oases. It is more than doubtful that this is also the case with all mechanics. Everyone was pretty exhausted, reported Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc after discussions with the Ferrari staff in the paddock. He himself slept “like a baby” after a 16-hour flight.
Logistics challenge Formula 1: Three times the Eiffel Tower
There were actually supposed to be 23 races this year, but the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was canceled in May due to the severe weather disaster in Italy. But that played almost no role for the logistics of Formula 1. The freight was already on site at that time, explained DHL. The official Formula 1 partner transports up to 1,400 tons per race. Extrapolated, that means 32,200 tons for this season – that’s more than three times the weight of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which weighs 10,100 tons.
Freight from Singapore, Mexico and Las Vegas
But the final week also became a challenge for DHL, which has a total of 50 employees in the Formula 1 team. The ship’s cargo was brought from there to Abu Dhabi directly after the race in Singapore in mid-September. Additional material was transported from Mexico to the United Arab Emirates by plane at the end of October. The remaining cargo left Las Vegas on Monday and Tuesday, DHL said.
And on Thursday everything was practically ready. The course on Yas Island has been spruced up even further. Everything should be perfect for the last race of a sporting season that has long been decided with the outstanding Verstappen in the outstanding Red Bull. There is no room for fatigue and jet lag.