Formula 1 returned to action at the end of August after a well-deserved summer break, with a calendar of 4 races in 5 weeks.
Then, for the first time, a further month-long break will follow after the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend, before the final six races, staged in two back-to-back triples separated by just a week’s break.
But unlike the break that took place in August, F1 factories will not be closed between Singapore and Austin, which will allow many teams to work on final developments.
How important are these breaks for drivers and racing team personnel?
“These breaks are not important, they are very important,” says Nico Hülkenberg, Haas F1 driver.
“It’s a demanding programme, 24 races is more than ever. We’ll have three races in a row after this new break, which is very difficult for a lot of the team who work long hours and will be flat out for about three weeks.”
“The summer break is important and we have another long break after Singapore. And personally I think this year the schedule is a bit more balanced with more breaks. And I’m sure for the team members involved who have the most difficult tasks, it’s really appreciated and it’s positive.”
Charles Leclerc admits it, “As drivers, we can’t really complain.”
“We travel in the best possible way. We stay in great hotels and we also have a program that is tailored to an athlete. So we try to go to bed relatively early and sleep as much as possible. And everything is done for our well-being.”
“However, for the mechanics, for the engineers, sometimes there is a lot of work. They arrive on the track much earlier, they leave it much later. And so it is much more difficult. And having a normal life outside of racing is also very difficult. So it is absolutely necessary to have these breaks.”
“But as a driver I can’t complain. But I will say that 24 races is probably the maximum or at least the sweet spot. Any more than that would be too much.”
