Sergio Perez has joined a chorus of drivers expressing reservations about the extensive Formula 1 calendar, which is slated for a record-breaking 24 races this year.
The Mexican driver disclosed that discussions are underway between Formula 1 drivers and the sport’s decision-makers regarding the current length of the race calendar.
This year, Formula 1 is poised to kick off with a remarkable 24 Grand Prix events, commencing with Bahrain hosting the season-opening race this weekend.
While last year’s schedule was initially planned for 24 rounds, the Grand Prix in China and Imola faced cancellations. However, both events have been reinstated on the current roster.
When questioned by the media, including about whether drivers have engaged in talks with Formula 1 authorities, Perez responded: “We are trying and I think it’s a long process. We are trying to put some points across basically.
“Not only for the drivers, to be honest, there are a lot of mechanics and engineers. They travel the world weekend after weekend, [it’s] a lot of hours on the planes.
“So I think it’s something that has to be looked at. It’s the first year with 24 races, but we already saw last year how people [were] in Abu Dhabi. So let’s see what happens this year.”
Perez further emphasized that a driver’s agenda is already packed with commitments even when they are not on the track.
He stated: “I think it’s just too much, the amount of races and the amount of weekends.
“We as drivers, we don’t only do the weekends, we also do the sim preparation, we also go after each race to the simulator.
“We have a lot of sponsorship commitments. So it takes everything out of you.
“[It’s] not only for the drivers but also for the mechanics. They get here on Tuesday, and weekend after weekend, I think it’s just a little bit too much.
“So I think it’s important for the calendar to at least try to keep this as the limit or if not, go down.
“Let’s see how it works out this year but I remember seeing a lot of zombies in Abu Dhabi after Las Vegas [in 2023] so let’s see how the year pans out.”
