Verstappen urges F1 to look at 'crazy' problem

Max Verstappen has urged F1 to look at the "crazy" 24-race calendar after describing the schedule as "way over the limit".

The sport will break the record for most races in a single season with the return of the Emilia Romagna and Chinese Grands Prix this term, beating the previous tally of 22.

There has been much talk about the sustainability of the calendar, both in terms of the environmental impacts but also on the human impact, given the amount of time those travelling to each race will spend per year away from home.

To combat this issue, teams have started to rotate their on-the-ground workforce from race to race, something which is not achievable when it comes to the driver line-up.

Asked if such rotation would be welcome as a driver, reigning champion Verstappen told media including RacingNews365: "I feel that we are already way over the limit of races.

"I know I am still very young, but I also know that I'm not doing this for another 10 years if you're doing 24 races.

"It's about quality over quantity as well and I've said it before, this is not sustainable."

'A bit crazy'

"I love racing a lot and I do it a lot also outside of F1, but at one point you start looking into the quality of life and how much you are away for, doing the sport you love," added the Dutchman.

"But at one point I would prefer to be at home and focusing on other projects. This is crazy, you know how much you have to do for it and I love it, now it is not a problem but I know that in a couple of years time, it's very different.

"So for sure, we need to look into that because if you have to start rotating drivers, that is a bit crazy.

"It's how I feel and probably a few more drivers feel like that but it is up to F1 and what they want to do with their sport.

"But if people in the sport start shortening their careers because it is too much, I think that is a bit of a shame.

"So hopefully we can have a look at that for the future."