Sainz: Drivers the ‘privileged ones’ amid busy F1 schedule

Carlos Sainz has declared that Formula 1 drivers are “privileged” when it comes to navigating a packed season schedule.

Next year's calendar is set to feature 24 race weekends, a record for F1.

This year's schedule was originally timetabled to have 24 Grands Prix before China and Imola were cancelled, however both events are set to return next year to form part of F1's longest-ever season.

The calendar has steadily been expanding the quantity of races over the last number of years, leading to complaints over the strain it is having on team personnel.

Sainz has stated that from a driver's perspective, he is fortunate to have a less demanding schedule.

“I do consider the drivers, we are the privileged ones,” he told media including RacingNews365.com.

“We get to travel business or first class or private. We get to go to the best hotels. We get to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday rather than on Monday. We get to leave on Sunday night, rather than on Monday morning.

“I don't like speaking from the privileged position that I think drivers are in. Yes, it's true that we are under pressure more than ever, then we have a lot of media commitments.

“But I do feel like inside our teams, or within the 100 people that travel to the races in Ferrari, we are a bit of more in a privileged position. And I don't like complaining because of that.”

24 races the limit

Sainz has asserted that 24 races is the maximum limit for F1 as teams have begun to rotate staff due to the demands on well-being and logistics.

“I do believe that moving forward, 24 races, I think is the limit with the kind of schedules that we have now,” he said.

“I think a lot of teams are going now into rotational programmes with mechanics, engineers, and just speaking to a lot of teams in the paddock, everyone is channelling themselves to do rotational programmes.

“Obviously, I don't think you can rotate drivers. But yeah, let's see. Let's see where the sport goes.

“I'm curious to see what are the ideas for the future, because I do strongly believe that moving forward there needs to be changes for the weekend format or the way we go around media events and commitments.

“24 races I think it's going to be the limit or on the limit and to keep everyone's health, not only the drivers, but mechanics and people that travel around is going to be important.”