Perez sounds alarm: 'I saw a lot of zombies walking around in Abu Dhabi'
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
Formula 1 has arrived in Australia. It is only the third Grand Prix of the season, but a lot of mileage has already been done with two races in the Middle East and now Australia. It is certainly not going to stop there, as this year will see the most races ever, 24. It will be a battle of attrition for drivers and team members alike.
Sergio Perez believes that with 24 Grand Prix weekends, the max has been reached. "Yes, I think not just for the drivers, but to everyone involved in the sport," the Red Bull Racing driver told the likes of GPblog. "We are really at the top of it. I think it's just too much, the amount of races and the amount of weekends."
'Formula 1 demands everything from drivers and team members'
Perez explained that being an F1 driver involves more than driving a Grand Prix at the weekend. "We also do the sim preparation. We also go after each race on the simulator. We have a lot of sponsorship commitments. So it basically takes everything out of you. Not only for the drivers. But also for the mechanics, for example. They get here on a Tuesday and weekend after weekend. I think it's just a little bit too much."
"So I think it's important for the calendar to at least try to keep this as the limit. Or if not, go down. Let's see how it works out this year. But I remember seeing a lot of zombies in Abu Dhabi after Vegas. So let's see how the year pans out. I don't want to think too much on it."
The ultimate decision on the number of races lies with the FIA and Formula One Management. That's where the drivers would have to engage with. "Yes, we are trying. I think it's a long process that we are trying to basically put some points across," Perez stated.