'Not Sustainable': Verstappen And Alonso Join Critics Of Long F1 Calendar

Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso chimed in on the conversation about too long and intense Formula 1 calendar.

The first race of the 2024 season takes place this week in Bahrain. All drivers and the teams had completed their pre-season tests at the track a week earlier, and now, after a few day's break, they return to the circuit to start preparations for the Grand Prix weekend.

Part of the drivers' obligations today was to attend the press conference during which they were asked about the intense schedule of the 2024 season.

Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz suggested he believes F1 is currently at the limit and should not try adding more races to the calendar because of the risk of becoming 'too constant' and less attractive for fans.

The triple World Champion Max Verstappen has already given his opinion on the topic when he said he believes in quality over quantity.

Unlike Sainz, the Red Bull Racing driver believes Formula 1 is "way over the limit" already. He said: "I feel we are way over the limit on (the amount of) races. This is not sustainable."

Verstappen also suggested in the past he doesn't like the growing number of street circuits that don't allow drivers to extract the full potential of their race cars. He also previously suggested he might reconsider his future in F1 if this trend continues.

A driver who shares all the opinions mentioned above with the Dutchman is Fernando Alonso. The double-world champion is currently 42 years old, and he already hinted he would consider retirement as soon as after 2024 based on how demanding the calendar will be. He said:

It is clear that even though they all love racing, F1 drivers are not fans of the increasing number of races on the calendar. Unfortunately for them, it doesn't seem like F1 management would be considering decreasing the number of races in the future.