The 2023 calendar was initially introduced with 24 races earlier than the Chinese language GP was dropped because of the lingering results of COVID-19.
The Emilia Romagna GP was cancelled on the final minute on account of flooding however many crew members have been already in Italy or on their manner, so in impact, they labored 23 weekends even when the Imola race didn’t happen.
The Shanghai event is back on the calendar for 2024 and thus with no different adjustments the world championship will sort out 24 occasions for the primary time.
“I believe 24 is the restrict,” stated McLaren CEO Zak Brown when requested by Autosport about subsequent 12 months’s schedule. “Stefano [Domenicali] goes to set it as such.
“There is a demand for most likely 30 grands prix. So I might prefer to see a day the place you might have 24 grands prix, however with a view to embrace extra markets, perhaps you might have 20 fastened grands prix and eight rotational so that you’re in 28 markets 24 instances a 12 months.
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“I believe that may be an effective way to maintain the calendar the place it’s however but nonetheless have calendar development.
“And the schedule has undoubtedly been improved from a logistics viewpoint, and it isn’t straightforward, as a result of every territory has a motive why they need one thing on a sure date or there are different occasions or holidays, issues of that nature.
“So it is high of thoughts for all of us and I’ve little doubt it will simply proceed to enhance.”
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, on the pit wall
Picture by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Aston Martin’s Mike Krack careworn that groups have to make sure that there isn’t a employees burnout by rotating folks between occasions.
“The 24 races has been debated so much,” stated Krack. “We’ve additionally the double-headers, the triple-headers.
“I believe, all in all, it’s most likely not removed from the restrict of what we are able to do or what we are able to settle for. However I believe it’s right down to the groups to seek out methods of creating this sustainable for his or her staff.
“I believe all of the groups do this, focus on that, attempt to discover options. However once more, it exhibits the energy of the game, and it’s one thing that now we have all agreed to. And now now we have to seek out methods of creating it occur in a sustainable manner for everyone.”
Williams boss James Vowles agreed that rotating employees effectively is now a key technique for all groups.
“It is an optimisation drawback,” he famous. “Clearly, we will not simply hold throwing the identical folks at it. We’ve to rethink, nearly to a sure extent, how we’re working racing organisations.
“However there are racing sequence which are doing 32 or extra weekends a 12 months. It is simply an optimisation drawback. How can we make a life that’s sustainable for everybody while persevering with to carry out?”
Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur confirmed that the Italian crew will encourage extra rotation subsequent 12 months whereas agreeing that the variety of races displays F1’s present success.
“The life is far simpler for me than for the mechanics,” stated the Frenchman.
Frederic Vasseur, Staff Principal and Basic Supervisor, Scuderia Ferrari
Picture by: Ferrari
“To start with now we have to maintain this in thoughts, that if somebody might complain, it is extra the mechanics than the crew principals. For them, we are attempting to start out rotation and to have this type of story.
“However I might additionally attempt to keep away from being conceited. 5 years in the past we have been preventing to seek out 16 or 17 promoters eager to do the races. As we speak now we have an enormous success, and I might keep away from saying, ‘No, I wish to keep at house subsequent weekend. I’ve a barbecue with my spouse!’
“You may at all times say 24. It is greater than 23 and fewer than 25. And I do not know what’s the proper quantity, however I’ve the sensation that it is fairly well-balanced.
“For positive, we have to have a type of rotation for the fellows, as a result of once more, I am approaching observe on Thursday, I am leaving on Sunday night when the fellows are approaching Monday, Tuesday and leaving on Monday, it isn’t the identical life. For me it is okay. For them, we are going to put in place the rotation.”