Mika Hakkinen reveals the only way the F1 calendar can be expanded harmoniously

Stefano Doemicali, F1 CEO has stated that F1 is planning to stretch the calendar to 30 races a year in the future.

Mika Hakkinen reveals the only way the F1 calendar can be expanded harmoniously

Mika Hakkinen (Leftt, Credits: NextMoto) and Stefano Domenicali (Right, credits: PlanetF1)

Former F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen has spoken out on the contentious issue of expanding the F1 calendar. With the sport’s recent growth, whether more races can be accommodated without overburdening teams and drivers remain. Hakkinen believes the key lies in shortening race weekends.

The Flying Finn’s stance reflects the concerns of many within the F1 community. He astutely observes that current race weekends, from Thursday to Sunday, impose heavy demands. He bluntly states, “More races would be a bit too many.” The Finnish veteran envisions a solution in compressed F1 schedules; perhaps “you’ll start on Saturday, I don’t know,” he says.

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Elaborating, Hakkinen draws attention to the toll an extended calendar takes on everyone involved. It’s not just about the pilots but also the unsung heroes like mechanics who juggle work with family. “How do you keep everyone happy? How do you keep everyone healthy?” he said in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, emphasizing the psychological and physical strains.

On a typical F1 weekend, the drama begins on Thursday and continues until Sunday, putting a significant strain on the F1 crew and drivers. This has been the same even before Hakkinen’s time. However, this load is multiplied on Sprint weekends added in 2021. His reservations echo broader concerns about the welfare of drivers and crew.

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Mika Hakkinen claims that even if he had raced today, he would feel 24 races is a lot

Mika Hakkinen in his racing overall
Mika Hakkinen in his racing overall (Credits: Twitter)

This perspective comes amid F1’s rapid expansion, from 19 races in 2010 to the current 23. The sport’s head honcho, Stefano Domenicali, envisions a future with up to 30 races per season. This vision is buoyed by new venues like Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas, enticing wealthier fans with luxurious spectacles. The allure of new destinations, including Madrid, drives F1’s expansion. 

Initially set to be a record 24 races, the current F1 calendar saw two cancellations—China due to Covid concerns and Imola due to floods—leaving it at 22 races. Looking ahead, the 2024 season is slated for 24 races, with six sprint weekends. While the 1998 and 1999 champ refrains from harping excessively on calendar length, he does admit that if he were a driver today, 24 races would weigh heavily on him. He said candidly, “If I raced today and I had to drive 24 races, that would be a lot.”

While the allure of more races is undeniable, Hakkinen’s insights act as a compass, urging the sport to find innovative ways to satisfy its insatiable hunger for expansion while preserving the vitality of its participants. With 12 races done, F1 will return after the summer break for the remaining 10 races of 2022, starting with the Dutch GP.

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