FIA President Jean Todt believes those who work within Formula 1 should not complain about additional events, calling it a “privilege” to be present in the sport.
Formula 1’s calendar has expanded in recent years and in 2020 will feature a record-breaking 22 events, following the return of the Netherlands and addition of Vietnam.
It is expected that as many as 25 rounds could feature in future seasons, creating additional workload, though the duration of grand prix weekends is set to be reduced from four to three days.
Speaking to international media Todt cautioned that “it will be a long process before being close to 25 races” and that it would be “speculating” to suggest the number will be reached.
However he said those working within the championship should not complain.
“I already think, including you [the media], we [at the FIA], and I include myself, for other reasons, we are so blessed to be in a world [where] we love what we do,” Todt said.
“We have the passion, we are privileged, whoever is in Formula 1 is privileged.
“When I was in other positions I was working 18-hour days six or seven days a week, because I had a passion and wanted the result.
“Then of course [your] family, if you have a beloved family, they will understand, and you don’t do that for all your life.”
Todt pointed to other situations in the world that he has experienced, ostensibly through his role as a UN Road Safety Ambassador, which he carries out in conjunction with his duties as FIA President.
“Believe me I do a lot in the other activities in my life where I see people, if they are blessed, they get $30 a month,” he said.
“You have an 8 billion population, you have 800 million people [of that] where they don’t have [enough] to eat, they don’t have [enough] to drink, they don’t have [access] to get the vaccinations.
“We are here to talk about Formula 1 but we must not close our eyes and forget what is happening for other people, for other communities, so, again, I feel we have to be blessed.”
Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey nonetheless accepted that the championship has to be wary of the workload it is putting on its staff.
“I think for everybody’s benefit we need to make the sport healthy, and in a way that’s cognisant of the pressure and the wear and tear,” he said.
“People who work for me, I go to 21 races, I’ll go to 22 races [in 2020], and I don’t have to go for the length of time that others go, but I’m not unaware of the wear and tear that comes with it, and I hope we can do more to make it manageable.”
Formula 1 has already cut in-season testing for 2020.
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