Formula 1's relentless expansion has reached a new milestone in 2024, with the sport hosting its longest season ever—24 races spanning five continents. While fans have relished the action-packed schedule, the overwhelming demands placed on teams and drivers have drawn criticism, particularly from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
In an interview with Austrian news outlet ORF, Wolff highlighted the physical and mental toll of such a busy schedule, calling the current setup “really cruel.” His remarks highlight the challenges of managing staff fatigue, logistical complexities and the intense pressure of playing in a sport with an ever-increasing global reach.
“Triple-Headers and Vegas Nights”: Fatigue Hits Hard in 2024
The latter part of the 2024 season featured two triple-headers, with the teams navigating through six races in eight weeks across different time zones and continents. The final leg, including the highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix, presented unique challenges due to its nighttime schedule and cold desert conditions. Wolff described the impact:
“I recently spoke with Helmut [Marko] from Las Vegas. It was really cruel, because you only see daylight for a few hours before you go to bed and you don't know when to eat. Everyone has approached it differently, but it affects your rhythm so much that it’s hard to get over it.”
Mechanics, who often bear the brunt of the workload, face particularly difficult conditions. Unlike team managers and drivers, many mechanics travel economy class and are responsible for assembling and dismantling complex equipment under strict time constraints. Wolff acknowledged their situation:
“Everything is beyond limits… You can see in everyone’s faces that it doesn’t last long like this.”
Illness and Fatigue Highlight Growing Concern
Several drivers fell ill towards the end of the season, with Haas teammates Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen missing key engagements. Max Verstappen has previously warned that extended seasons could make such problems worse. The cumulative effect of travel fatigue, disrupted sleep schedules and high-pressure environments is now a key talking point among F1 bosses.
2026: A Step Towards Rationalization of the Calendar
In response to growing concerns, Formula 1 has announced a regional restructuring for the 2026 calendar to reduce logistical pressure. Notable changes include moving the Canadian Grand Prix to May and Monaco to early June, creating a more logical flow between the North American, European and Asian races. The new groupings are designed to minimize the travel back and forth that previously pushed teams to their limits.
Regional groupings proposed for 2026:
- Oceania/Middle East: Australia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia
- Asia: China, Japan
- North America: Miami, Canada
- Europe : Monaco, Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium, Italy
- Asia: Azerbaijan, Singapore
- North/South Americas: United States, Mexico, Las Vegas, Brazil
- Middle East: Qatar, Abu Dhabi
By consolidating races within specific regions, Formula 1 aims to reduce logistical pressures, provide leeway for teams and improve sustainability.
Balancing Growth with Sustainability
Formula 1's expanding calendar reflects its ambition to expand its global footprint and revenue streams, but leaders like Wolff are urging the sport to balance growth with the well-being of those who make it possible.
The 2026 restructuring represents a step in the right direction, but concerns about burnout, travel logistics and fair working conditions persist. As F1 looks to the future, the challenge will be to ensure that the spectacle of the sport does not come at the expense of those who work behind the scenes. Wolff's call for change could be the catalyst needed to spark a broader conversation about sustainability—not just for the planet, but also for its people.
