Sergio Perez Criticizes the F1 Calendar as Overwhelming
Sergio Perez believes that the upcoming F1 calendar, consisting of 24 Grand Prix races, including 6 Sprint F1 weekends, is excessive and that the sport should prioritize quality over quantity.
The F1 calendar for 2024 is set to feature 24 Grand Prix races spread across the globe over the next nine and a half months, mirroring the record-breaking 2023 schedule that was eventually reduced to 22 races due to the cancellations of Imola and Shanghai.
Expressing his concerns, Perez stated, “It’s too much. We know that there are too many races.”
“The extension of the calendar has forced teams to rotate personnel, attempting to minimize the travel for certain members whenever possible.”
“However, with so many essential personnel involved, the physical and mental demands are grueling even for drivers who may arrive and depart later than most of the rest of the team.”
“It’s going to be a very tough calendar for all of us involved in this sport. That’s why it’s crucial that we manage our energy levels effectively.”
Quality Over Quantity
When discussing the ideal season length, Perez echoed the sentiments of former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, suggesting that a round number would be optimal.
“I think 20 races would be great, focusing on maintaining quality rather than quantity. But it’s not up to me to decide. If we could do everything in Mexico, that would be fantastic!” he joked.
Recently, Fernando Alonso proposed increasing testing days to four to ensure an equal distribution of days between both drivers in a team – and perhaps using two cars for testing simultaneously.
However, Perez does not support this idea, arguing that the calendar is already lengthy enough without adding extra testing days.
“There’s no time for that! We have 24 races, the schedule is already grueling, and I don’t believe that all teams will have both their cars ready for testing right from the start. We don’t have the time for extensive testing as the seasons already end so late. We will once again finish in December this year.”
