P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 warned of ‘so much headwind’ with continued calendar expansion
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has been warned of potential backlash for further expanding the calendar, which hit a new record of 24 grands prix spanning over nine-and-a-half months this year. This growth contrasts with F1 having just 17 races when Fernando Alonso debuted in 2001, emphasizing the significant expansion in the last two decades. The resultant strain on teams due to the prolonged schedule has raised concerns about the health and well-being of all travelling personnel. While criticism has been ongoing over the increasing number of races, F1 has pressed on, prompting discussions on whether a saturation point has been reached. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Domenicali is unlikely to exceed the current 24 races due to anticipated opposition and expresses confidence in Domenicali’s strategic approach to problem-solving. He underscores the need to stabilize at 24 races, especially with additional sprint events, acknowledging the challenges smaller teams like Haas face in managing resources for the extended season. Steiner emphasizes the importance of preparation and support for personnel, regardless of a team’s size, to ensure a sustainable and comfortable environment amidst the demanding race calendar.
