Max Verstappen Criticizes F1's Record-Breaking 24-Race Calendar as Unsustainable

The tides of change are evident as the Formula 1 2024 season starts, but there is an undercurrent of concern among drivers, notably from reigning world champion Max Verstappen and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who are voicing disapproval over the elongated F1 calendar - which now boasts a record-breaking 24 races.

Max Verstappen, a three-time world champion, vehemently communicated the difficulties and sustainability issues of such a demanding schedule to reporters at the Bahrain International Circuit. His sentiment is not a newfound criticism, but rather an amplification of previous grievances that are beginning to echo louder as careers and personal lives are seemingly put on the backburner to cater to the ever-expanding F1 audience across the globe.

Verstappen shared, “I love racing a lot and I do it a lot, also outside of Formula 1. But if people in the sport start shortening their careers because it’s too much, I think that’s a shame. Hopefully, we can have a look at that for the future.” As the current face of Formula 1, his words carry significant weight, underscoring the pressure-cooker environment that drivers increasingly find themselves in.

The commercial expansion under Liberty Media has seen new circuits open in burgeoning markets such as the Middle East while also resurrecting historic tracks in Europe. This strategic move, designed to capitalize on the soaring popularity of Formula 1, largely attributed to the energetic exposure from the Netflix documentary 'Drive to Survive', has come with intricate challenges.

Rotation of personnel within teams, an intense travel schedule, and reduced preseason testing - now down to a fleeting three days - highlight the tangible stress points that teams and drivers are grappling with. These adaptions, while resourceful, shine a spotlight on the underlying issue: the human aspect of the sport that is bent, but hopefully, not yet broken, under the glittering allure of ceaseless expansion.

Veteran Fernando Alonso, who debuted back in 2001, reminisces about times when the calendar had significantly fewer races. He too signaled alarm, stating that the current race count “...is not sustainable."

Red Bull celebrates its 20th season amidst this backdrop, presenting a dual narrative of success and behind-the-scenes concerns. Christian Horner, the team principal, recently came under scrutiny through an independent investigation into alleged misconduct, which he vehemently denied and emerged unscathed. These internal dynamics add layers to an already complex sport.

As the teams prepare, Verstappen heads the pack, fresh off a dominant 2023 campaign - though always cognizant of the competition such as Ferrari and Mercedes, which seek to reestablish their presence atop the podium.

The F1 grid enters Bahrain with a sense of continuity in its driver line-up. The upcoming races in the Middle East, scheduled on Saturdays leading into Ramadan, set the scene for this year's calendar that will test the mettle and resilience of the F1 community like never before.

While the focus will be on the high-speed pursuits and the battle for superiority, underlying sentiments of change are rippling through the paddock. Will the powers that be heed these voices and find a balance between market appeal and the welfare of its driving force remains a story unfolding with each rev of the engine.