Carlos Sainz has sided with Fernando Alonso as drivers ask Formula 1‘s Las Vegas Grand Prix to shift to a more favourable slot on the calendar.
The 50-lap race on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit last weekend kicked off the season’s final triple-header.
The F1 circus will make a quick pit stop at the Lusail International Circuit this weekend, before the 2025 campaign concludes in Abu Dhabi in two weeks’ time.
With this particular sequence of races carrying forward onto the 2026 calendar as well, Alonso labelled it as “unacceptable” given how gruelling the schedule becomes for the drivers.
“The place in the calendar is difficult for us. I don’t think any other sport in the world would accept that,” he had said.
Backing his compatriot, Sainz also voiced his concerns over the complexion of the calendar, especially as Qatar is notorious for being among the more taxing races on the calendar.
“I agree with that,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I must agree with the fact that we have to come all the way to Vegas to then go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi. It’s something that we’ve been quite vocal about, also to Stefano [Domenicali].”
Typically, flying between Vegas and Qatar is an overnight affair with flights lasting anywhere between 19 to 25 hours. This is in addition to the 11-hour time difference between the two cities.
The Williams driver thus suggested moving the race closer to the race weekend at Interlagos.
“For me, it should be a back-to-back with Brazil, because at least you don’t have to go back to Europe, to adapt to Europe, to then come back here,” he explained.
“You just fly straight up to Vegas, do Vegas, then a week in between, and then have the double-header of the Middle East to end.
“In an ideal scenario, what are the reasons to not be able to do that in the calendar? I don’t know.
“But for me, I couldn’t agree more that the fact that a triple header, Vegas, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, second year in a row, I don’t think that’s any good to anyone.”
Sainz has faith in F1 to address ‘unfortunate’ Vegas situation
F1 CEO Domenicali has been open to making sweeping changes to the weekend format to ensure that the sport’s allure endures.
Sainz revealed that the Italian is also actively looking to accommodate driver concerns with respect to the calendar.
The Spaniard is sure that as the sport moves forward, it will tackle this “unfortunate” situation propped up by Vegas’ placement on the calendar.
“Stefano is trying to do everything he can to improve the calendar,” insisted the 30-year-old.
“He’s already made some good steps for next year, I believe, but I don’t think Stefano likes it either. He also travels with us.
“He’s trying to do the best that he can to get the calendar into the best, most efficient place, and if we look at the carbon net zero thing that we are all targeting for 2030, we need to improve the travel that we’re doing.
“There are a lot of people flying in and out, in private jets, from Vegas all the way back to Monaco, to then go back, or to Brazil to then go to here, then to go to Qatar. Being objective, there’s room for improvement.
“I’m sure Stefano is doing everything he can. It’s unfortunate, the time [of Las Vegas] on the calendar.”
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