By Nathan Ridley
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have both told Formula 1 chiefs to consider "quality over quantity" ahead of a record-breaking 24-race season.
The 2024 campaign gets underway on Saturday at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with more action than ever to look forward between now and December. But there are concerns over the impact of having so many events, ranging from environmental sustainability to possible mental and physical fatigue for not just drivers but the teams, pit crews, media and staff.
There were scheduled to be a total of 24 races last year before the Chinese Grand Prix, which hasn't taken place since before the Covid-19 pandemic, was once again cancelled. Speaking at the media day in Bahrain on Wednesday, Mercedes driver Hamilton suggested that F1 is "maybe already over" the limit of races.
"We just have to be conscious of quality vs quantity, and we also have to think about the impact that we have on the world," the Brit added. "The more races that we put [on], this whole circus travelling everywhere [and creating emissions]. Sustainability should be at the heart of the decisions that they're making moving forwards."
Later in the afternoon, three-time world champion Verstappen - never one to hide his true feelings - put his rivalry with Hamilton aside and declared: "I feel already that we're way over the limit of races. I know I'm of course still very young but I also know that I'm not doing this for another 10 years, doing 24 races [per year].
"Like also Lewis said, I think it's about the quality over quantity that we have to look at as well. From my side, I know, and I've said it before, this is not sustainable.
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"I love racing a lot and I do it a lot, also outside of Formula 1, but at one point you start looking into the quality of life and how much you are away for doing the sport that you love but at one point I'd probably prefer to just be at home and focus on other projects.
"Because it is crazy, how much you have to do for it. I love it, now it's not a problem, but I know in a couple of years' time it's very different."
The Red Bull star then issued a warning to F1 organisers, adding: "At the end of the day of course it's up to Formula 1 what they want to do with their sport, but if people in the sport start shortening their careers because it's too much I think that's a bit of a shame."
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz went on to use football in his argument about oversaturation. "From a driving point of view, when I look at football I really like the Champions League because the Champions League, you don't get it that often; the highlight of having a Champions League match [is] that it connects for people for that day," Sainz explained.
"Formula 1 is risking becoming too constant - having one race every weekend, and losing a bit the appetite of everyone switching on the TV to watch Formula 1.
"I think Formula 1 needs to remain exclusive, it needs to remain a sport where everyone is looking forward for that race to switch on and not something you can get used to just by switching on the TV just like a regular league match every weekend."
