In an effort to relieve some of the pressure on drivers and teams facing a difficult finish to the season, Max Verstappen has suggested that Formula One include a US tour on its schedule.
The F1 world will have to tackle a very difficult doubleheader to wrap up the 2023 campaign: Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi are separated by nearly 8,000 miles, and the flying times between them are around 20 hours.
As if that wasn’t exhausting enough, everyone has to get used to a 12-hour time change before they can compete in the season’s last racing week.
Future US trip suggested by three-time world champion Max Verstappen Over the past week, Verstappen has been very outspoken about the Las Vegas Grand Prix. He has grown to like the circuit and the racing itself, but not all the glitz and glamour around it.
Verstappen also mentioned that the event’s scheduling, including how it fits in with other races on the ever expanding F1 schedule in addition to the race weekend session times in Vegas, is a drawback.
When asked what improvements he would like to see in Las Vegas, Verstappen replied, “The timing for sure,” to reporters at the press conference following the race.
The other suggestion for next year might not be feasible, but it might be able to improve the travel experience by including Abu Dhabi. Right now, there is such a significant time change that I feel is a little excessive, especially near the end of the season when everyone is already a little worn out.
Therefore, it could be best to locate a different kind of date because, in my opinion, we ought to conduct a more thorough American tour. Of course, I’m not sure if that’s the best option for ticket sales.
So perhaps there is a small solution we can work out. In my opinion, the twelve-hour time zone changes and the entirely distinct timetables for racing are problematic… That seems excessive to me.
2024 has another demanding schedule in store.
The intention is for a Vegas-Qatar-Abu Dhabi triple header to round up the F1 2024 season, so unless there are some last-minute adjustments to the schedule, it looks like the same criticisms about the schedule will exist again.
This implies that F1 staff will have to make yet another quick turnaround and endure yet another long trip as they race around the world.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, concurs that the calendar should be changed, but he bases this opinion much more on his personal self-interest.
“In my opinion, it was a fantastic inaugural event, but as Max mentioned, I would make some changes to the calendar logistics because we now have to travel to Abu Dhabi, which is likely the furthest distance we will have to travel all year,” he stated.
Thus, yes, definitely take a look at it and make Vegas the championship race. That will be extremely pleasant for me as well; Guadalajara is only two hours away, so it will be a lovely conclusion.
Charles Leclerc mentioned late session hours in Las Vegas at the post-race press conference, but he believes F1 bounced back nicely from Thursday’s disastrous practise.
Leclerc said, “I think that’s mostly because we have been driving so late.”
“I understand the idea, especially in regards to the European audience. It felt a little bit beyond the limit, but I’m not sure if that’s even the objective or the reason we have been racing so late.
It was quite difficult due to the temps as well, so this is something I would absolutely like to improve for next year.
However, as I’ve already mentioned, I’ve been having a great time this weekend. And it gives me great pleasure to see that we concluded this weekend with a positive feeling, as it was hurtful to witness my beloved sport get off to a bad start on Thursday.
However, I believe that our incredible race makes everything up, and I’m okay with it. So, aside from timing, not much else needs to be changed.