23 Races, Many Concerns: The Impact of Formula 1’s New Jam-Packed Schedule

The Formula 1 season has expanded from 21 to 23 races in the past two years, generating a variety of responses from the greater driving community. Revenue, safety, entertainment — who wins and who loses with the introduction of the new schedule?

Beginning in March 2022, Formula 1’s 72nd season will sport a new look. While many have grown accustomed to the 22-race schedule that was unveiled last year — one more than previous years — this season marks the addition of a twenty-third grand prix.

The Miami Circuit will become America’s second race alongside the United States Grand Prix in Austin. It is a temporary track surrounding Hard Rock Stadium, with an average speed of about 138 mph. It is 5.41km in length and boasts 19 turns and 3 straights, with some small undulations that can lead to a few moments of ‘flight’ at high speeds. While it presents a new, exciting challenge for drivers, the circuit has brought with it many concerns — both for racers and others.

Within the last few years, Formula 1 has, unsurprisingly, taken a covid-related financial hit. No fans and fewer sales all equate the need for more money. For the organization, more races means more revenue from hosting fees, thus resulting in a bump in revenues. This approach also applies to teams, who receive bigger prize-money payouts with additional grand prix. Yet, with a season that already spans from March to November, it is these additional races that also present concerns for teams.

23 races means multiple back to back weekends of 12-14 hour days for racing staff. “In the end, the mechanics are the ones who are going to suffer a bit,” says Max Verstappen, 2021’s reigning champion, in an interview with Autosport. Sebastian Vettel, an Aston Martin driver, agrees: “I feel for [the staff]…They arrive Monday or Sunday or the week before, they build the garage, prepare the cars and then also they have to run the full week and the pack down, send everything back, and prepare back in the factory.” Team leaders have also spoken on the pressure and stress they undergo with more races. Toto Wolff, the principal of Mercedes Racing, already opted to skip the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2021 and Mattia Binotto, Ferrari’s team principal, has admitted to considering following suit.

While danger is a known and accepted aspect of Formula 1 racing, new races have also prompted new safety concerns for the drivers. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit was opened last season as Saudi Arabia’s Grand Prix. It is the fastest street circuit ever created in the history of the sport, with an average speed of 252 km/h. It is almost 80% throttle, meaning drivers are almost constantly using the accelerator, with little runoff (areas for racers to safely depart the track if they have an issue or need to slow down) and 27 corners. “Suzuka with walls,” said Christian Horner in an interview with Motor Sport, team principal of Red Bull, in reference to the Japanese Grand Prix, widely considered to be the fastest and most dangerous track in Formula 1. However, Jeddah’s multiple blind apexes and carriers close to the circuit could give the infamous track a run for its money. “It’s a bit risky without a reason,” admits Sergio Perez, a Red Bull driver. “With the speeds we’re doing, with the delays around the track from some other cars, it’s a bit unnecessary.” During its inaugural weekend, at least five racers were involved in some sort of crash — including seven-time champion, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen, last year’s winner.

Jeddah isn’t the only new race that puts racers at risk. The Losail International Circuit in Qatar is a 16 turn, 57 lap, and 5.38km track. Its high downforce set-up and high-speed corners lead to higher than average tire degradation and are especially challenging physically for competitors. “It’s probably going to be quite physical in terms of G,” admitted Pierre Gasly when asked prior to the 2021 race. He later suffered a tire puncture during the qualifying round. In addition, four different drivers suffered tire punctures during the real race, including Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, Fernando Alonso of Alpine Racing, and both Williams Racing drivers, thus affecting their performances.

Not all responses to the additions are negative. “It’s quite an enjoyable track, to be honest,” says third-year Williams team driver, George Russell. “I think there’ll be some good racing.” While the new circuits do add strain to teams, especially small ones, Russell simply said: “The track’s constantly evolving, the drivers are having to learn it, the teams are having to learn it. So if you work well as a race team, you should be able to make the most of it.”

Lando Norris, another driver just starting out for McLaren, agrees with Russell: “I think it’s good for us as drivers to kind of try and adapt to something new. And it’s always more exciting when you have a new circuit…” Formula 1 is constantly advancing; every year, new racers, such as Norris, are coming in and reimagining what it means to be an F1 driver. If the tracks don’t change to match that rapid evolution, how will the sport keep up?

While safety is a concern for many, the true flaws in the new schedule seem to lie in the quantity of the events, not the tracks. More grand prix are an effective way of generating revenue, but to take care of the staff. In a sport that already has an absurdly long season, additional circuits are simply asking too much of the people who work so hard to make everything run smoothly.