Breaking: Team chief calls for BAN as Verstappen makes CONFESSION about…read more
Team chief calls for BAN as Verstappen makes CONFESSION about…read more
Helmut Marko, a key figure in Red Bull Racing, has called for certain tracks to be removed from the Formula 1 calendar, citing the increasing strain on the teams and drivers due to the growing number of races. Marko, who has been with Red Bull since its inception in 2005 and played a significant role in securing eight drivers’ championships with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, expressed concern about the current direction of the sport.
F1 has undergone significant changes since its early years, particularly after its acquisition by Liberty Media in 2017. The sport has grown both in terms of popularity and the number of races, with the 2024 season set to be the longest in F1’s history, featuring 24 races across 21 countries. While this expansion has helped increase the sport’s global footprint, it has also led to a packed calendar that many, including Marko, believe is unsustainable.
Marko pointed out that the workload of the season is becoming increasingly difficult for everyone involved. Red Bull’s dominance in recent years, particularly Verstappen’s streak of four consecutive championship victories, has highlighted this issue. Despite Red Bull’s success, the team faces the challenges of a stretched calendar. Marko himself revealed that he would be skipping several races in the 2024 season due to the demands of the packed schedule. Verstappen, meanwhile, reached third on the all-time race victory list in 2024, winning nine races during the season.
Marko specifically questioned the balance of the current calendar, suggesting that F1 must reconsider the tracks that make up the series. While some newer races bring excitement and spectacle, Marko argued they often lack the rich motorsport history and culture of traditional European circuits. He singled out iconic tracks like Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, which he believes are key to maintaining the sport’s heritage. Marko’s concern is that by overloading the calendar with new venues, the essence and tradition of motorsport may be diluted.
To address the growing strain, Marko proposed two potential solutions: reducing the number of races or introducing two driver line-ups to share the workload. This, he believes, would allow the sport to maintain its global presence while preserving its culture and ensuring the well-being of teams and drivers. Marko’s comments reflect a growing debate within the sport about how to balance expansion with the preservation of its core values.
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