The world of F1 has seen a huge change in the way it operates since the departure of Bernie Ecclestone as the sport’s big boss. Liberty Media, the current owner of the sport’s business, has introduced a completely different ideology and strives to maximize the sport’s popularity instead of maximizing ratings. its profits. As the team strives to further improve F1’s impact around the world, Ecclestone raised concerns about the marital status of staff amid a busy season-long schedule via the Daily Mail.
In 2016, F1 saw Liberty Media Group buy its commercial portion for $4.4 billion. The first item on the post-sale agenda was a rebrand. The team introduced a new logo and changed the theme to F1. To improve the sport’s presence on social media and video streaming platforms, the team launched F1 TV and signed a deal with Netflix to produce the popular series “Drive to Survive”. As progress continues, former boss Bernie Ecclestone believes the “happy marriages” of many F1 staff will be in jeopardy if the sport continues to follow a busy schedule throughout the year.
Bernie Ecclestone believes the racing schedule is too busy for staff.
With changing times and growing popularity, the number of races on the F1 calendar has also increased. There used to be 18 or 19 Grands Prix per season, this number has now increased to 22. Thus, this sport not only becomes more difficult for the riders but also for the team members in any capacity.
Given the same, Daily Mail reports Ecclestone raises a concern that many employees’ marital status will soon be under threat and that teams will have no option but to employ double staff to assure harmony in the work as well as the personal realm of their employees.
“My opinion is that 18 races is enough. We did 20 and I often thought that that was a bit too much. Because you have to think of the teams. Before long, they will have to employ double staff. With 22 or 23 races there will be too many divorces. It is a matter of when.”
The group’s primary focus is to boost the sport’s presence in the US. Having added the Miami GP to the calendar last year, November 2023 will see the new Las Vegas GP make its debut. As such, the US now plays host to three Grands Prix in a season. Apart from the US, South Africa, Vietnam, and Colombia are also interested in adding to the 23-race (or 24) schedule of the sport.
Domenicalli says 24-race schedule would be ideal for F1
In an approach that is the polar opposite of that of Ecclestone, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes a 24-race schedule is the perfect amount of races in a season. During an interview (quoted by WTF1.com), Domenicali said, “What we want to do next year is 24, and I think 24 is the right number.” He believes it will be the right balance between the logistics of the calendar and the people working for each team.
Domenicali also revealed Madrid wants to host an F1 race, but for now, they believe 24 is the ideal number, with Barcelona already hosting a race in Spain.
Domenicalli revealed a curious step that the authorities are considering around the European leg of the F1 season. With increasing interest from multiple countries, the authorities are looking at the possibility of rotational principles being put into effect. With this, if one race were to happen in Barcelona in 2024, Madrid would host the next Spanish GP in 2025.
The same principle would apply to two countries instead of cities within the same country. However, for now, a 24-race schedule with no rotation is what the authorities are sticking with.