2021 is set to be a historic year in Formula 1 history. The sport will embark on its longest season ever, with a jam-packed 23-race calendar kicking off in March and ending in December. After a shortened year in 2020 due to the delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the prospect of so many races feel even more dizzying. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the length of the calendar has raised concerns amongst both current and former faces in the F1 world. Mika Hakkinen - the 1998 and 1999 World Champion - believes that the schedule will place a great deal of stress on the drivers and teams. "When I was a driver, whenever I was competing and I was racing, there were fewer races," the Finn said in a preview of the season for UniBet Finland. "The time between races was usually spent testing, and the amount of tests were very high. "During one day, you could have one trip or even two trips between races. And four days of testing, it was quite taxing and quite harsh. When there are so many races it means the driver needs to be able to perform. "When there are so many races, the performance needed from the driver and the team is quite on a different level compared to if you're just testing the car. And there's also the risks it creates, because people are tired and theycan't focus fully. Everything has to be perfect. Everything has to go on perfect." Meanwhile Fernando Alonso - who returns to the grid in 2021 following a two-year hiatus - has warned of how the long season could catch some out, particularly towards the end of the year. "Not only for me is it a challenge, but for the whole team and for everyone in the paddock," the Alpine driver told DAZN. "We have to remember how many races it is and we try to save as much energy as possible during the season, even in the summer months from June to September. Even if you feel fit and strong, because the more energy you save, the stronger you are going to be in November and December."
Clearly the impact of the upcoming schedule will be felt by all in the sport. But the fact that these concerns have been raised by two experienced drivers from past and current eras highlights the fact that there may be more awareness amongst the older drivers of what lies ahead. Whilst youth is often seen as an advantage in terms of energy levels, those with more experience may actually have the upper hand in preparing for the toll that the season could take. This could make 2021 an even harder year for the rookies. Not only have Mick Schumacher, Nikita Mazepin and Yuki Tsunoda had less time to adjust - given that pre-season testing was cut to just three days this year - but the lack of time between races allows them fewer opportunities to refresh and reflect, something that could impact their learning process throughout the season. And this still applies to the more experienced on the grid too. As Hakkinen alluded to, times have changed since his era in terms of testing between races, which is no longer an occurence. But the Finn raised the point that drivers still have busy schedules between each grand prix; the likes of press and marketing commitments, factory visits and the constant travelling involved in all of this mean that there is little time to take stock. In 2021 more than ever, this will be very challenging to handle.
Whilst the lengthy calendar could harm the rookies in terms of experience, the older drivers could perhaps be more at risk of losing motivation, and it will be vital to maintain this throughout the season. As Alonso highlighted, the number of races could particularly impact performance later in the year, and this is arguably when it is needed the most; final points are being fought for, championship standings are being decided, etc. This stage of the season is always intense, but the fact that several triple-headers feature in the second half of the calendar in 2021 adds to the pressure. The factor of who has managed to maintain their energy and drive, then, could have a great influence on the final outcome of the season. There will not be a sense of 'winding down' as the calendar draws to a close this year; it will instead be a time where drivers and teams have to dig deep to find the extra motivation to fight for what could be vital points in deciding the title standings. And as Alonso said, it is not just the drivers who are affected by this. The whole team will be impacted by the busy schedule, and in some ways perhaps even more so. Mechanics, for example, arrive at the track early to set up and often work incredibly long hours, as well as enduring the constant travelling involved in the sport.
Hakkinen raised the point that a whole team can struggle to perform if the people are tired due to their ability to focus being dented. And this could impact everything, from the speed of the pit stops, through to strategy calls and development of the car, and ultimately the morale of the team, particularly if they are going through difficult times. If teams that have struggled recently like Haas do not experience an improvement in fortunes at the beginning of the year - and in the case of Haas, this seems likely given that the team are not planning to develop the car throughout the year - then the prospect of embarking on the longest season ever could seriously affect their spirit and motivation, which can be a difficult thing to fix in the long-term. So the effects of such a gruelling calendar could even carry through into 2022 and beyond. For many Formula 1 fans, the thought of watching so many races between the opening grand prix in Bahrain on 28 March and the closing race of the season in Abu Dhabi on 12 December is an exciting one. But for those on the inside of the sport, that excitement will doubtless be mixed with apprehension, along with a plan on how best to conserve energy over what will be a challenging 10 months ahead.
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