Ex-F1 strategist reveals damning F1 calendar demands

Former Aston Martin F1 strategist Bernie Collins revealed ahead of the European triple-header that a previous triple-header left her "physically exhausted", resulting to Collins leaving her job. 

With the F1 calendar continuing to increase, there is an increasing number of double headers and triple headers, elevating the demands on all personnel. 

It is particularly gruelling for engineers, with a triple-header in 2021 having put Collins in a physical and mental position where she had to choose between her job, and her wellbeing. 

"With more races, I was feeling more tired towards the end of the year and even at the start of the year not so excited to get travelling again," Collins told the BBC.

"The end of the 2021 year we did three races in a row - which I think was Brazil, Qatar, Mexico - and just by the last race I was physically exhausted, struggling with sleep because of jet lag, struggling to be awake during the day."

"I just got to the point of thinking why? Something needs to give."

Teams taking action

In early 2022, Collins stopped working at Aston Martin and focused on television work for Sky Sports.

Consequently, she no longer travels to all races now, but sees her former colleagues still doing so. 

Although there are measures in place at teams to keep the pressure from getting too high, Collins has stressed that F1 must look into the situation going forwards, especially with 2024 marking a record-breaking 24 

"A number of teams now allow mechanics to take two or three races off," Collins revealed. 

"It doesn't sound like a lot but actually that makes a big difference."

She added: "I would have stayed if I could have done less races or missed a few but there wasn't that option."

"I think over the next few years F1 are going to have to look at how they retain the best people."