According to Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, Formula 1 must pay attention to the number of races that are placed on an F1 calendar and how that calendar is divided. Perez warns that an F1 calendar cannot simply be crammed full and that the ‘quality’ of the races must be taken into account.
“I think the last part of the season was incredibly intense, we were constantly traveling forward and back in time. The number of races is clearly at the limit, not only for the drivers but also for all the mechanics,” said Perez.
Formula 1 has indeed expanded the F1 calendar in recent years, but this year it has also tried to ‘bundle’ the races a bit more so that less has to be traveled from one side of the world to the other. However, according to Perez, there still needs to be a lot of improvement in that area.
“The calendar needs to be organized much more efficiently so that more care is taken for everyone. My biggest concern is really some of my mechanics,” says Perez, who also refers to the 2024 F1 calendar that contains a record number of races, 24 to be precise.
According to Perez, Formula 1 must ensure that it makes good decisions in the selection of the races that take place, the races must be included because they really add value to the sport and the calendar, not to simply expand the F1 calendar .
“We have to make sure we continue to perform and deliver great races and not put a lot of races on the calendar just to extend it,” said Perez. “I think the level of quality is very important to ensure that the sport continues to move upward.”
As far as the 2024 F1 calendar is concerned, it is probably too late, but according to Perez the topic should certainly be on the table for future F1 calendars. A problem in that area, however, is that many circuits have long-term contracts with F1.
“It’s clearly something we need to talk about and see what’s possible,” Perez looks ahead. “It’s probably too late for next year but for the year after that we’ll try to maximize it.”
“We saw in the last race riders who were very tired so I think it is something we have to take very seriously because it is important for the sport, for the riders to have long careers and also for the staff, the mechanics , we want them to have very long careers too. It’s really something we have to take into account.”