Perez: Expanding calendar a threat to long F1 careers

Sergio Perez has suggested that Formula 1’s expanding calendar could lead to shorter careers in Formula 1.

Over the last several years the sport has been increasing the number of races staged during a campaign.

This year was originally scheduled to feature 24 events before the rounds in China and Imola were cancelled - however both are set to return next season.

As a result, F1’s calendar next year is on pace to be the first 24-race schedule in history, a new record for the sport.

The season will commence in Bahrain at the start of March before concluding in Abu Dhabi in December, with three triple headers taking place during the campaign.

Perez has raised concerns with the schedule, highlighting that F1 personnel are visibly exhausted at the end of the campaign.

“Obviously, it's something that we're going to raise up to try and then see what can be done,” Perez told media including RacingNews365.

“Probably now it’s [too] late for next year, but for the year after to really try to maximize it.

“I never remember seeing people so exhausted at the last race. So I think it's something that we got to be taking it very seriously,

“It’s important for the sport, for the drivers to obviously keep having these long careers that we've seen.

“For the staff from the mechanics, we want them to have very long careers as well. So I think it's something we've got to consider.”