George Russell, president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, is considering the layout of the new Formula 1 calendars. Mercedes believes the driver program should be organized more logically, opting for a double header between Australia and a race in the Middle East.

The current Formula 1 calendar is not organized very efficiently. Races cross and there are regular flights from one continent to another. All this should become more logical and climate-friendly in the future. Formula 1 is busy reviewing the schedule of the calendar and Russell is contributing on behalf of the GPDA. According to him, “many conversations” are currently being held to organize the calendar more logically and efficiently. A double-header between the Australian Grand Prix and a race in the Middle East would be a logical step, he says.

The F1 calendar will make more sense in the coming years

The current calendar raises questions for many fans. For example, Formula 1 travels from Azerbaijan to Miami to start the European Tour two weeks later, with a surprise trip to Canada scheduled in between. In the end, it ends with an unfair double-header between Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. It needs to be more efficient and sustainable, Russell admits. “There’s been a lot of conversation about how stable the calendar is from the Middle East to America and back to Europe. I think it’s going to get better in the coming years,” he was quoted as saying. Motorsport.com.

Difficult puzzle due to limitations

However, this is a puzzle and much more difficult than it seems at first glance. “A lot of fans don’t really understand it. There’s a lot of restrictions because of the weather. We race in certain places and that has to do with street circuits and restrictions on when they’re open,” Russell explained. . One step Formula 1 could already take, he says, is to introduce a double-header between Australia and the Middle East. This year – and last year – there was always a two-week gap.

A double header between Australia and the Middle East

“Almost everyone flew out before Saturday or Sunday. All the mechanics and engineers too. So you’ve already lost an extra three or four days. So it makes a lot of sense to make it a double-header with a race in the Middle East.” Russell said.