Why Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is calling for changes to 24 Formula 1 races per year in future and what “sensible” measures he would implement
24 races in one season: the Formula 1 World Championship calendar has never been this big. That’s why Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is calling for a rethink among those involved ahead of the record-breaking 2024 season
“I don’t know if you can say: You die from your own success. But I think Formula 1 has to adapt when it moves towards 24 races. Then we have to see how we can make the weekends, the traveling and the calendar as compatible as possible,” says Sainz.
He personally has nothing against so many races, as long as Formula 1 plans a “sensible calendar”, especially for mechanics and engineers. “We can’t then travel from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi within four days and accept a time difference of twelve hours,” says Sainz. “Because we have to make sure that everyone involved reaches the end of the season in good health. “
Record calendar requires different preparation
However, drivers also have to adapt to the larger racing calendar. Sainz’s plan for 2024 is to “manage my energy and maintain a good attitude over 24 races”, as he says. Reason: “With so many races, it’s very easy to just race to race. So the key will be to be as fit as possible as a driver.”
And in order to be as fit as possible as a driver, Sainz wants to “change a few things” in his preparation and already change his training during the winter break, but also explicitly use the free weekends during the season differently. He does not reveal any details. But: “This is the only way to master such a difficult season.”
Basically, Formula 1 has to be aware of the enormous demands on everyone involved. “If we had 24 races like Las Vegas, for example, then we would have to change the format,” says Sainz and explains: “The mechanics, engineers and other people involved would simply be exhausted in the end. 24 events of this kind would be impossible. “
Drivers feel “like puppets” in Las Vegas
Because in Las Vegas the drivers were “pulled back and forth like marionettes at so many events and PR appointments” and hardly found any rest, especially under an unusual schedule with driving under floodlights in the evening and at night.
“That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If it helps Formula 1, then I’m happy to be involved,” says Sainz. “But that has to be compensated for somehow. “
“Because we are the sport with the most interviews. After every session, we give every broadcaster a 1:1 interview. We have to make sure that we’re not under pressure for 14 hours a day, but also have time for ourselves, for the athletes, for meetings with the engineers and the like. The bottom line is that we need a balance between spectacle and sport.”
He has nothing against the city race in Nevada, Sainz emphasizes. “Las Vegas is good for Formula 1, the series has to stay there and perform at its best. But if there are 24 Las Vegas soon, you have to adapt and modernize Formula 1 in a logical way. “
