“It’s brutal!” Christian Horner slams the current F1 calendar and the idea of expanding it

In an ever-expanding Formula 1 calendar, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has objected to the growing number of races. He stated that the current 23-race season is already pushing the limits. With F1 aiming for a staggering 30 races in a single season, Horner’s comments shed light on the challenges faced by teams and spectators alike.

As F1 navigates the uncertainty of a post-pandemic world, the 2023 season was initially scheduled to have 24 races. It would have been the longest F1 calendar in history. The cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix due to the pandemic, however, lowered the total to 23 races. Despite this alteration, Christian Horner feels it is an excessive quantity.

“It’s brutal, that travel schedule,” Horner expressed, highlighting the demanding nature of back-to-back races and triple-headers. Teams find themselves racing from Azerbaijan to Miami and then back to Europe for three consecutive races. It creates logistical headaches and exhausting journeys.

Horner’s concerns extend beyond the strain on teams, emphasizing the commitment required from fans. “23 Sundays a year… It’s a big commitment to follow a whole season,” he remarked. The team principal questions the feasibility of asking fans to dedicate their time and energy to every race, recognizing the saturation point that could be reached if the number of races continues to rise.

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Christian Horner pushes F1 to prioritise historic tracks over the new tracks

Moreover, Horner draws attention to the conflict between F1’s ambitions for new venues and the preservation of historic tracks. He laments the repetitive pattern of prioritizing iconic circuits like Monaco, Monza, and Silverstone, while simultaneously introducing newer races in locations such as Las Vegas and Miami. This tug-of-war between tradition and novelty further contributes to the overwhelming schedule faced by teams and fans alike.

The steady increase in the number of races in recent years has sparked concerns about oversaturation within the sport. In 2009, the calendar featured 17 races, and now, in 2023, that number has risen to 23 races, not to mention the inclusion of additional sprint races. F1 has lost fan favorite and historic tracks like Hockkenheim and Sepang owing to the rising costs and lucrative offers from elsewhere.

With their champion Max Verstappen already hinting at a potential exit if the race count continues to climb, Horner’s concerns reflect a broader sentiment within the sport. The focus should be on ensuring the quality of races rather than prioritizing an ever-expanding calendar.

“I think it’s better to have competition for the existing venues than to just keep adding more and more,” Horner stressed, advocating for a balanced approach that cherishes the heritage of classic circuits while introducing healthy competition among them.

As the 2023 season progresses, there are still 17 races left after the cancellation of the Imola Grand Prix due to flooding. Christian Horner’s critical stance highlights the need for a reevaluation of the number of races in Formula 1. Red Bull have won all the races thus far and are the season’s favorite to win the championship.

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