Leclerc sends F1 'maximum' calendar verdict

Charles Leclerc has insisted to Formula 1 that 24 races is the absolute "maximum", with the Monegasque struggling to balance his life. 

This year's calendar features 24 races, matching the length of last season's calendar which broke the record for most races in a year. 

It made for a gruelling campaign, which ended with a physically and mentally draining triple-header across two continents. 

The teams had to travel directly from Las Vegas to Qatar, before heading to Abu Dhabi for the season finale. 

Travelling between Las Vegas and Qatar was particularly difficult, due to both the drastic time zone difference and the duration of the flight. 

As pointed out by Leclerc, speaking at the season finale, the 24-race calendar was not too strenuous for the drivers; however, the big problem is the other members of each team.

"No, my view is not changing. I still think 24 is the maximum," Leclerc insisted to select media including RacingNews365. 

"Myself, personally, I'm not that tired, as I've said many times in the past. I think drivers are travelling in the best possible conditions. 

"We are staying in the best possible conditions. We are doing everything. We've got a team for recovery, we've got lots of things put around for us to be 100% from the first race to the last race. 

"Things are a lot more difficult for the members of the team. And this has to be kept in mind by F1."

'I cannot complain'

With Leclerc having the benefit of travelling in luxury and having a team around him to ensure he is kept as fit as possible, the Ferrari driver feels he "cannot complain" about the calendar. 

Future changes to the F1 calendar are coming, with a rotation system having been introduced. From 2027 the Belgian Grand Prix will rotate every three years with other European circuits. 

An issue the long season has presented the 27-year-old, is finding a balance between his work and personal life. 

The only counteract to this, is that Leclerc has been able to fly his family to races to accompany him. 

"Where I struggle most is more about the private life, the balance between the private life and the professional life," revealed Leclerc. 

"And, of course, the private life always becomes less and less the more races you add. On the other hand, I'm also in a position that I can bring my family to races and live for my passion. 

"So I cannot complain, but I still feel like 24 is probably the maximum that is reasonable."