George Russell has pledged his support to the idea of banning F1 staff members from working at every Grand Prix throughout seasons. The 2024 calendar will be a record-breaking one with the sport heading to 24 different races in a year for the first time.
The F1 paddock is currently feeling the strain in the aftermath of the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit following five races in the span of six weekends to end the campaign. The business end of the 2024 calendar looks set to be even more draining for staff with the curtain falling after a triple-header in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“We have it best from every single person in this paddock, the way we travel,” Russell explained after the race in Abu Dhabi. “We’re in a very fortunate position. But everybody up and down the paddock, I’ve got so many mechanics who are ill.
“People [are] in the engineers’ office just really struggling with the constant timezone shifts, the body not knowing where you are, eating at different times, staying in different hotels, different environments, different climates. The body’s getting confused.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.
Don’t miss… Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez among drivers absent from post-season meal[LATEST]
“I think there are talks for next year about personnel being regulated that they can’t do every single race. I think that would be a good thing. I don’t think it’s sustainable to 4,000 people, I think to do 24 races a season. Especially when you see how geographically [diverse the calendar is], it still doesn’t make a huge amount of sense.”
While Russell’s concerns lay with the well-being of team personnel, his own health has suffered from the hectic end to the 2023 season. The Mercedes driver has been complaining of illness-related issues for the past couple of weekends since making the trip to the Nevada desert for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
More F1…
Hamilton, Norris and co make history for all the wrong reasons in Abu Dhabi[RECORDS]
Max Verstappen suffers blow as key player to his three title wins ‘leaves role'[NEWS]
Damon Hill worried about Lewis Hamilton after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix comments[OPINION]
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
“Firstly, in Vegas with a big fever, I couldn’t sleep and just felt awful,” the 25-year-old continued. “And then I’ve had a horrendous cough that stayed with me all weekend in the car.
“I was coughing every single lap, but when you’re strapped into the car, you can’t breathe. You can’t take a deep breath in to get the cough out. So, it was just constantly with me. It was pretty, pretty miserable. So I was pleased to bring it home when I saw that chequered flag.”
Source: Read Full Article