“Limit far exceeded”
Formula 1 drives its stars to the barricades
March 19, 2024, 6:58 a.m
A Formula 1 race is extremely stressful for people and materials – and also for the environment. The racing series continues to expand and the limit has already been “far exceeded,” says the scene’s biggest star.
Formula 1’s record calendar with 24 Grand Prix for the first time is causing a lot of trouble for the drivers right from the start of the season. “I already have the feeling that we have far exceeded the limit of races,” criticized world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull before the first race of the year in Bahrain. “Of course I know that I’m still very young, but I also know that I won’t be doing 24 races for another ten years.”
Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali has described 24 Grand Prix as appropriate for the foreseeable future. At the same time, he also said that the booming racing series could even organize more than 30 events because the organizers are so interested.
Record world champion Lewis Hamilton referred to the conflict between “quality versus quantity” in the debate. You also have to “think about the impact we have on the world,” noted the Mercedes driver. “The more races we hold, the more this whole circus travels everywhere. Sustainability should be at the heart of decisions.”
After the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia stages, the Formula 1 entourage traveled to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
“We’re already at 24 and that’s not sustainable, for anyone,” criticized Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso, referring to the busy racing calendar. The two-time world champion made his Formula 1 debut in 2001, when 17 Grand Prix were still being driven.
