The 24-race F1 calendar is too much, and Ferrari feels the impact: a key figure says goodbye. Jock Clear leaves the team after citing the intense 24-race Formula 1 calendar.

The decision came quietly, away from the spotlight, but it says a lot about the moment that Ferrari F1 is experiencing and, more broadly, about modern Formula 1. Jock Clear, one of the most experienced and respected figures in the Maranello garage, has ended his long tenure with Ferrari, choosing to take a new direction. After years spent on track, in simulators, and working with young talent from the Ferrari Driver Academy, the British engineer decided to step away, citing a calendar that had become increasingly unsustainable.

The weight of a 24-race Formula 1 season

Clear did not hide the main reason behind his departure: the intensity of the current F1 season. Twenty-four races a year, constant travel, and a permanent presence at circuits left little room for a balanced personal life. “I realized I couldn’t imagine myself in a role away from the track, but at the same time, twenty-four events are really too many to handle over the long term,” he explained, making it clear that his choice was motivated by the need to find a healthier balance between work and private life. Having joined Ferrari in 2014, Clear experienced several technical and managerial eras, becoming a key reference figure, especially for young drivers nurtured under the Cavallino Rampante banner.

Looking ahead: training and inclusion

Leaving Maranello doesn’t mean leaving the world of motorsport. On the contrary, Clear already has a new mission in mind, potentially even more ambitious on a human and cultural level. “At Ferrari, I worked with incredibly talented young men and women, mostly in their twenties and thirties, who are growing and ready to take on significant responsibilities,” he said, showing strong confidence in the work carried out within the Academy. His next step will be dedicating time and energy to a project close to his heart: helping more young women get involved in motorsport. “I want to contribute to creating a larger pipeline of girls in motorsport, providing them with real opportunities and continuity.”

This message goes beyond the track and reflects a deeper change in today’s Formula 1, which increasingly focuses on sustainability, people, and the future of the sport.