– If Formula 1 can carry out its currently planned 2026 calendar, the premier class faces a real mammoth program after the summer break. Starting with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26, nine races are currently planned in eleven weeks until the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
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The background is the decision to bring the Bahrain Grand Prix (held in Malaysia) back into the calendar between the races in Baku and Singapore. This would leave Formula 1 with only two free weekends throughout October and November.
“You have to find a balance,” explains long-time Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas in the podcast Talking Bull and emphasizes: “On the one hand, I want to see as many races as possible, but I say that as someone who knows he is not in the garage doing that work.”
Nicholas knows from personal experience how exhausting a Formula 1 season can be, especially towards the end of the season, and explains: “You must not forget, especially towards the end of the season, that burnout is a real problem among professionals.”
Families suffer most from the situation
“It’s all well and good to say: ‘Well, you already had some time off earlier in the year.’ But there simply comes a point when the workload can become too much,” he warns and also explains: “I always like to point out to people that it’s not just about those who travel to the races.”
“It’s all the people at home, the families, who try to manage everyday life and make sacrifices so they can be away. As much as I wish for as many races as possible to be on the calendar again, I believe we need to exercise a bit of caution,” says Nicholas.
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In addition, the nine races in eleven weeks mentioned are exclusively overseas races. “For example, the triple header from Austria, Great Britain, and Belgium is one of the better ones because you don’t have to travel far,” explains Nicholas.
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“The flights are really short, and that helps. When we were in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, that was much more exhausting,” he recalls and explains: “It’s a long journey around the globe, and then there’s jet lag and all those things.”
“That’s why it’s important to look at the calendar when we know so many races are coming up and plan as well as possible to reduce stress for those involved as much as possible,” demands Nicholas.
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He reveals: “Here at Red Bull, we started in 2025 to give mechanics the opportunity to take some races off each year. They can plan it themselves and choose their races so that they can balance it with family, children, and all those things.”
“It’s important that teams continue to handle it this way. For Formula 1 and the way we set race dates, it’s simply about planning travel as efficiently as possible without constantly traveling back and forth around the globe. That is a great relief for everyone involved,” says Nicholas.
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It is still open whether the planned mammoth program at the end of the season can really be implemented. The last two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are currently in jeopardy due to the war in the region. Formula 1 still wants to take its time with a final decision.
“Due to our structure, we take as much time as possible to see how the situation develops,” said Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali recently and confirmed at the same time that the two races in the Middle East would be replaced by a season finale in Europe if necessary.
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That would at least give mechanics and co. a bit more breathing room.
