F1 News: Max Verstappen Raises Sustainability Concerns Over 2024 Calendar

Back-to-back Grand Prix in vastly different time zones can be highly stressful.

Considering the stress it puts on the team and the drivers, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen thinks that the Las Vegas- Abu Dhabi doubleheader is a bit too much "when you're talking about sustainability," and also "for the human body."

It has been five days since the conclusion of the inaugural Las Vegas GP, and now, the drivers are back in action in Abu Dhabi for the grand finale of the 2023 Formula 1 season. Though Max Verstappen had been quite candid about the 'show' in Vegas, he has now gone on to speak about another topic that needs attention. 

While he has been a critic of F1's expanding calendar, the three-time world champion raised concerns about next year's Formula 1 schedule that is set to end with a triple header mix of Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. 

Pointing out several challenges that could arise as a result of three gruelling weekends set far apart on the globe, Verstappen called for a change in the calendar. Speaking to PlanetF1.com, he said:

“It’s a bit tough to understand what time zone you’re in. I think what does help here, of course, is that it’s all a bit later.

“You try to have a good night’s sleep and stuff, but I definitely think for the future – of course for next year, it’s not possible – but it’s a little bit odd that we are on the other side of the world, basically, before getting here and especially when you’re talking about sustainability, it’s probably not very sustainable, not only for the emissions but also for the human body.

“Of course, eventually, we always deal with it but I don’t think it’s great. So we’ll just talk to F1 about that, if there’s something that we can do for the future to make it a little bit more of a normal end to the year because it’s already a lot of races, a lot of travelling at the end [of the season] after the summer break basically.

“So I think we can do a little bit of a better job with placing the grands prix, I guess, but already for next year I think they are doing that at the start of the year so that will help already.

“I don’t mind having a triple-header when it’s the Middle East. It’s just the flight time to go here. It’s probably a bit much. Next year, we cannot change that but hopefully in the future we can have a chat and see what’s possible and best for everyone.”

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