Formula 1: jet lag, logistics and a future that needs to change

If Stefano Domenicali might need to bring a few kilograms of coal, I think the reigning F1 world champion, Max Verstappen, deserves a tray of sweets. Yes, okay, many remember him with red eyes and a liver while talking about Ferrari, saying, “When they stopped cheating…” referring to the powerful engine of the SF-90. Unfortunately, time proved him right because Mr. Binotto produced an agreement that might be better described as a suppository-shaped missile with a delayed biennial effect, and I’ll stop here to avoid politically correct censorship.

Max deserves the sweets not for what he did on the track, but for what he said off the track. Almost unique. He stands out, and frankly, I wouldn’t have expected it because he seemed destined to excel “only” on the track, perhaps especially because his colleagues with the super license are silent or seem pre-adolescent. The recent topic touched by the “good” Verstappen is about the movements of the caravan called the Circus, which often clashes with the logic of logistics. And if you add the eco-sustainable speeches (move less to pollute less), we never finish.

To be honest, with Stefano Domenicali, there has been a partial change in logistics. But there’s one thing that undermines any attempt to rationalize the races and create the alibi of being eco-friendly. That is when there are too many races. And there the donkey falls, because if it were up to the F1 Terminator, we would reach at least 30 world races, forget about 2023/2024. So, goodbye logistics and “green” fig leaf. Anyway, let’s get back to Max Verstappen.

F1, the necessary future change
In an interview reported by the media, the Dutchman was quite clear on the matter, asking for a change starting from 2025: “I think we need to improve this aspect in the future, but of course, it is not possible to do it in the short term for next year; it is impossible, but it is a bit strange that we arrive in a place starting from the other side of the world. It is not very sustainable, not only in terms of emissions but also regarding our bodies. Of course, we will manage, but it is not ideal.”

You might say that drivers don’t have such a strenuous job. And I agree, but you have to keep in mind that, in any case, to drive a four-wheel beast, you have to be in top physical and mental shape. And, above all, the issue is not only about the driver but what constitutes an F1 team. Which is certainly not composed of just the driver. And indeed, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, especially after the journey from the United States to the United Arab Emirates, said:

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“I was so tired that the first night I slept like a baby, so jet lag was not a problem; but if you ask around the paddock, especially to the mechanics and engineers, everyone is very, very tired and struggling a lot. I think next year will be even more challenging because we will have three races in a row at the end, and I think the way we organize the last part of the championship needs to be reconsidered a bit.”

In short, reasonable reasons that deserve attention. Of course, if George Russell (or whoever) who is the director of the GPDA, instead of dancing with Toto Wolff, fake angry on social media, would speak up, and with him all the other drivers, maybe something would move more quickly. Do you agree?