Max Verstappen says F1’s expansion to a record 24 races a year is too many

SILVERSTONE – Two-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen cast further doubt on how long he might stay in the sport, saying on Thursday the expansion of the calendar to a record 24 races was “definitely not helping”.

Formula One published a 24-race calendar for 2024 on Wednesday, running from late February to December and ending with two triple-headers – three races on successive weekends.

“It is too many for me, but we just have to deal with it,” Verstappen told reporters at the British Grand Prix, where he is chasing a record-equalling 11th win in a row for his team. “It is a bit more logical the way it’s planned at least, I guess that’s better for everyone,” he said of the distribution of races.

“More things have to come together for me to make my mind up if I stay longer or not. All these things are definitely not helping.”

The 25-year-old Dutch driver has also criticised the sprint format and engine regulations for 2026.

Verstappen, who has a contract to the end of 2028 and has already started 172 grands prix (42 wins) since his 2015 debut, has an 81-point lead over Mexican teammate Sergio Perez in the championship after nine races. He has won seven including the last five.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also shared Verstappen’s sentiment. The Aston Martin driver said it was too much and was sure to be a strain on team members as the season stretched across most of the year.

When he made his debut with Minardi in 2001, the now 41-year-old driver embarked on a season of 17 races, mostly in Europe, running from March to October.

“I understand all the benefits of having 24 races and the reasons behind doing so many,” the Spaniard said.

“It is difficult. There is a lot of interest in F1 and a big demand. So, it is good to go to new countries and have new races... There is more revenue for everyone... But for team members, a good number of races is 18.

“More than 18 or 19, and you start stressing all the mechanics – and the media – and everyone is on the back foot from February to December. It is a lot to cope with and to have...”

Another issue Formula One drivers have been discussing in recent days is about safety while racing in rain and spray. A trial of a mudguard-style device next week should be fast-tracked onto the cars if it works, drivers said on Thursday.

The trial, at Silverstone, has been in the planning since 2022, but has acquired greater significance since the death last weekend of 18-year-old Dilano van’t Hoff in a wet junior series race at Spa-Francorchamps.

McLaren and Mercedes will be providing the test cars, one with and one without the modification.

“It’s a huge safety issue at the moment and it needs to be addressed. We can’t see anything in heavy wet weather,” said Aston Martin’s Canadian driver Lance Stroll.

“I can recall many races over the past few years in F1 where you just cannot see anything when you are behind a car and it’s extremely dangerous... We shouldn’t be racing in those conditions.

“If it works, it (the mudguard) has to be put on the cars as quickly as possible. And if it doesn’t work, we shouldn’t be putting ourselves in situations where we’re racing in conditions where we can’t see.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris said the issue was “the biggest safety concern at the minute within Formula One” and it was about time to do something.

“It’s a shame we had to see such a consequence for people to understand what can happen. It’s something that needs to be done. Actually seeing where we’re going, that helps sometimes,” he said sarcastically,

On the Silverstone Circuit on Friday morning, Verstappen outpaced Perez as the Red Bull pair scored a predictable one-two in opening practice for Sunday’s race. REUTERS, AFP