Sergio Perez makes no secret of the fact that he thinks the 2024 Formula 1 season is too long – for him, the premier class is all about mental limits
“Yes, there are too many,” is Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s unequivocal answer to the question of whether Formula 1 is running too many races this year. A total of 24 race weekends are planned for the 2024 season – more than ever before.
Perez clarifies: “We know that there are too many races. It’s going to be a brutal calendar for everyone involved in the sport. That’s why it’s important that we can control our energy levels as much as possible.”
“I think 20 races would be great,” said the Mexican, who explained that Formula 1 should prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to the calendar. “But that’s not for me to decide,” shrugs Perez, who will be driving his 14th season in the premier class in 2024.
In fact, when the 34-year-old made his Formula 1 debut in 2011, there were only 19 races in the season. With 24 races, this year’s Formula 1 season is more than 25 percent longer than back then. In addition, there are the sprint races, which did not exist back then either
Perez suspects: Won’t drive as long as Alonso
Perez probably also believes that he will not be driving in Formula 1 until he is 50 because of this increasing workload. Fernando Alonso recently said that he might still be able to compete in the premier class at this advanced age.
Perez believes that Alonso, who will be 43 this year, is capable of this and explains: “Fernando is a great role model for our generation in terms of motivation. Formula 1 is different from other sports. It is a motivational sport.”
You have to have the will to travel around the world all year round, which is why the limits in this respect are more mental than physical, as long as you take care of your body. Nevertheless, Perez does not see himself in Formula 1 for much longer
Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen doesn’t have such a big problem with the growing Formula 1 calendar. Although two more races are planned in 2024 than in 2023, the world champion emphasizes that he is not approaching the new season any differently.
“Of course [the season] is a bit longer. But to be honest, once you’re in the middle of the season, you’re in Formula 1 mode anyway, you can never switch off completely. So you just keep going,” says Verstappen.
Or to put it another way: two more races won’t make any difference to him in what is already a long season.
