The rise of F1 has caught everyone’s attention across the globe. But, the flip side of this success has been long and hectic calendars.
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The 2022 season was expected to have 23 races. However, the Russia-Ukraine conflict forced the FIA to drop the Russian GP. The governing body has decided to have a 24-race calendar for the 2023 season, with the Chinese GP making a comeback and Las Vegas GP making its first appearance.
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Frederic Vasseur has given his honest opinion on the ongoing calendar debate. The job of a Team Principal is very complex and demanding. Alfa Romeo’s Team Principal explained what it takes to be an F1 Principal in this modern era of F1.
Frederic Vasseur opines on F1’s grueling schedule
With the steady rise of F1, the Team Principals have had to up their game as well. The action has been coming thick and fast. There was a period when the popularity of the sport was on the decline. But, the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ and a thrilling 2021 season have put F1 back on the map.
The massive success of Drive to Survive motivated the FIA to increase the number of races to tap into an untapped market like the USA. This added to the challenges faced by the Team Principals.
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – May 7, 2021 Alfa Romeo Racing Team Principal Frederic Vasseur talks in the Team Principals Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALE. NO ARCHIVES
Talking about the calendar, Vasseur stated, “I would have to be honest that during the season, and my wife would kill me if I say something different, I’m not able to switch off. Even when we don’t have races during one weekend or have weekend off, I’m still focused on this.”
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F1 teams left frustrated by FIA’s announcement
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FIA made a surprise announcement regarding the triple header, without the consent of the F1 teams. The deteriorating relationship between the teams and the FIA took another blow.
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 26, 2022 CEO of Formula One Group, Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem during a press conference as German manufacturer Audi announce they will join the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2026 season as a power unit supplier REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
A report from the guardian stated, “The lack of notice was not the only problem felt within the sport. The inclusion of a fly-away triple header of USA, Mexico, and Brazil requires the approval of the teams. It is expected they would accept the proposal, as they have in the past, but there was an exasperation that the FIA failed to consult them.”
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WATCH THIS STORY: Mercedes React to FIA’s admission of “Human Error” in the Verstappen-Hamilton Scandal
While FIA continues to defend its decision, it’s something that hasn’t gone down well with the teams. It’ll be interesting to hear the big guns of the paddocks speak about this issue.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://formulaone.news/alfa-romeo/if-f1-teams-were-movie-characters
