Perez reveals talks regarding major F1 change

Sergio Perez has revealed that Formula 1 drivers are in discussions with the sport's bosses regarding the length of the current race calendar.

F1 is set to embark on a record-breaking 24 Grand Prix schedule this year, with Bahrain hosting the season-opening round this weekend.

Last year's schedule was originally set to feature 24 rounds before China and Imola were cancelled - however, both events are back on the current roster.

F1 has steadily increased the number of yearly events but concerns have now been prompted that it has become oversaturated and is harming the well-being of paddock staff.

When asked by media including RcaingNews365 if drivers have had talks with F1 bosses, Perez said: “We are trying and I think it's a long process. We are trying to basically put some points across.

“Not only for the drivers to be honest, there are a lot of mechanics and engineers. They travel the world weekend after weekend, [it's] a lot of hours on the planes.

“So I think it's something that has to be looked at. It's the first year with 24 races, but we already saw last year how people [where] in Abu Dhabi. So let's see what happens this year.”

Drivers already have 'lots of commitments'

Perez added that a driver's schedule is already stacked with commitments when they are away from the track.

“I think it's just too much, the amount of races and the amount of weekends,” he said.

“We as drivers, we don’t only do the weekends, we also do the sim preparation, we also go after each race to the simulator.

“We have a lot of sponsorship commitments. So it takes everything out of you.

“[It's] not only for the drivers but also for the mechanics. They get here on Tuesday, and weekend after weekend, I think it's just a little bit too much.

“So I think it's important for the calendar to at least try to keep this as the limit or if not, go down.

“Let's see how it works out this year but I remember seeing a lot of zombies in Abu Dhabi after Las Vegas [in 2023] so let's see how the year pans out.”