Max Verstappen he is ever closer to winning his third world title, even though all that is missing now is mathematics. His latest victory in Monza guaranteed him the exclusive of a new record, that of the greatest number of consecutive victories in a season. Record that he could break further this weekend in Singapore. But it's not just records and victories that worry Max. Formula 1 has taken a very specific direction, expanding its market. They are different countries interested in hosting a Grand Prix given the growing popularity and Liberty Media is trying to please everyone, especially the richest. Thus the F1 calendar 2024 it will have a record number of 24 races, excluding the Sprints. However, this expansion is not seen well by the drivers, in particular by Max Verstappen.
Max: “24 weekends is a lot”
The 2021 and 2022 world champion believes the number of race weekends that everyone will have to face next year is excessive. In fact, there is not just one race to think about but a week that starts to be full of commitments from Monday, with the media, sponsors and preparation.“I've always said that 24 race weekends is a lot. It's not just about the races, but everything around it makes things difficult. All marketing activities, simulator days, personal sponsorship obligations. In fact, you have no free days left.” Shocked left and right, like the insiders. Max's stay in Formula 1 is still long. He's just a boy even though he already boasts almost 3 world titles. His contract will expire in 2028 – when he will be 31 years old, but at this rate who can say whether the Dutchman will want to continue or perhaps move towards other categories?
“I often talk about it with the people around me. These are all things that impact the decision of how long to continue. Of course I am happy to be in a position to make future decisions myself".
Among other things, more races, more sprints not only mean double the work for the drivers but also and above all for the logistics staff who move incessantly from one circuit to another and from one part of the world to another.
Domenicali responds
The response from F1 number 1, Stefano Domenicali, did not take long to arrive. Domenicali stated that he was happy that Verstappen shared his opinion but that he could not take it into account because Max is a driver and as such he would have a limited vision of the event and the race weekends. A vision limited to the track. “I think it's good that Max gives his opinion. But we cannot leave the sport in the hands of the drivers – Domenicali tells De Telegraaf. “Not because they can't be trusted, since we listen to them, but because they have to look at the bigger picture – and they don't always do that. Their goal is to go as fast as possible, but we as an organization are tasked with doing what is best for the sport. And we have done this for the last few years, otherwise we would not be in this position.
Domenicali also explained that he wanted to continue with Sprint, given the success he also had in MotoGP - in the first year of the experiment: "As you can see, MotoGP and other sports are also abandoning the traditional approach and we were the first to do so."
Source statements: PlanetF1
