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F1's Increased Breaks Hailed Amid Tough Schedule

F1’s Increased Breaks Hailed Amid Tough Schedule

18/09/2024

Amid a grueling season, frequent breaks in Formula 1 are proving crucial for the well-being and performance of teams and drivers alike.

Formula 1 resumed at the end of August after a well-deserved summer break, featuring a schedule of 4 races in 5 weeks.

Then, for the first time, a new month-long break will follow after this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, before the final six races, organized in two back-to-back triple-headers separated by only a week off.

However, unlike the break in August, the F1 factories will not shut down between Singapore and Austin, allowing many teams to work on final developments.

How important are these breaks for the drivers and racing team personnel?

“These breaks are not important, they are very important,” says Nico Hülkenberg, Haas F1 driver.

“It’s a demanding schedule, 24 races, that’s more than ever. We will have three races in a row after this new break, which is very challenging for many team members who work long hours and will be fully committed 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 am sure that for the team members involved who have the hardest tasks, it’s really appreciated and it’s positive.”

Charles Leclerc admits, “as drivers, we really can’t complain.”

“We travel in the best possible way. We stay in fabulous hotels and we also have a schedule suited 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, there is sometimes a lot of work. They arrive at the track much earlier, they leave much later. And so it’s much more difficult. And having a normal life outside of racing is also very difficult. So it’s absolutely necessary to have these breaks.”

“But as a driver, I can’t complain. But I will say that 24 races, that’s probably the maximum or at least the ideal point. More than that would be too much.”

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