P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1’s most visible leading figures had little good to say about F1’s ongoing calendar growth, during the first pre-weekend press conference of the year
Formula 1’s 24-race calendar in 2024 is celebrated by series executives as a sign of the growing appeal of hosting a grand prix, but not everyone in the paddock shares this sentiment. During the pre-weekend drivers’ press conference in Bahrain, reigning champion Max Verstappen and veteran driver Fernando Alonso expressed strong reservations about the continued expansion of the F1 calendar. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali mentioned the possibility of up to 30 races in the future but indicated that 24 races would be the target for the foreseeable future. The idea of driver rotation to manage potential increases in the calendar was briefly discussed, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz raising concerns about pushing F1 personnel, including drivers, to their limits. Sainz emphasized the importance of balancing work commitments with personal life and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for all involved in the sport.
