Formula 1 - "Tough load": Special challenge "Triple Header"
And now something else as well. In the midst of the first "Triple Headers" in this Formula-1 season, a racing team really can't afford any unexpected events. The schedules are already tightly scheduled, with three race weekends in a row. However, the McLaren team of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had a hard time with their damaged motorhome.
The team pavilion, where guests are entertained and where drivers can retreat, is supposed to be fully restored again by the end of July in Belgium, according to McLaren's hope, as English media reported after the fire alarm at the previous weekend in Barcelona.
"It's a really tough burden"
Spain was the beginning of this grueling hat-trick, which is now continuing in Austria and ending a week later on July 7 in England. Although there are rotation systems for mechanics, engineers, and other personnel, these are still hard weeks.
"A Triple Header in Europe is still manageable for me," said Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas, who enjoys more perks as a driver than a regular employee. "But it's obviously a really tough burden for some team members who have the longest working hours here."
Wellbeing managers work in the teams
At the racetracks around the world, there is a curfew for employees, which may only be exceeded in exceptional cases. However, the workload for the teams responsible for the quick setup and teardown increases significantly before and after a Grand Prix. Double or triple races are therefore "nothing new," said Bottas further. The teams are "more and more prepared for it."
For example, racing teams have wellbeing managers in their entourage. "When we talk about wellbeing, it's about three main areas: physical and mental health as well as recovery," Mercedes wellbeing manager Chris Armstrong once explained. "In physical terms, we want to ensure that team members are physically active, both at work and at home. In mental terms, we want to ensure that all team members are happy, but also able to focus."
4,000 people travel with the Formula-1 circus
And the factor of recovery? "We focus on two key areas: first, the workload, meaning we ensure that team members get sufficient rest and recovery so they can perform their tasks. And second, nutrition and hydration," Armstrong continued.
This year's Formula-1 calendar includes 24 races - more than ever before. Back-to-back events, or two races in a row, are part of the routine. There are now three races in a row in Europe, as well as twice at the end of the season: USA, Mexico and Brazil, and finally Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Then there are the time zone differences. "4,000 people travel in this circus, which means a lot of time away from family," Mercedes driver George Russell noted last year. "And with time zone differences, it's also quite tough on the body."
No promoter wants to dictate the schedule to themselves
Formula 1 intends to reduce the "Triple Header" and cross-and-quarter flying in Formula 1 for sustainability reasons. However, the problem is that Liberty Media, the owners, receive hefty fees from race organizers. Those who pay mid-range seven-figure sums for an event don't want to be dictated a schedule. Financially, it's mainly about ticket sales.
During the European Formula 1 season from May to September, almost everything is transported on the road. The pinnacle of motor sports is then in full swing. "I don't think it's that bad to be in Europe," Aston-Martin driver Fernando Alonso recently said in Barcelona. "The teams are now quite well prepared for these kinds of challenges." At the beginning of the year with Australia, Japan, and China, it was still harder for the team personnel.
- Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced challenges with their damaged motorhome during the McLaren team's busy Formula 1 season.
- The team pavilion, which was damaged in a fire alarm during the previous weekend in Barcelona, is expected to be restored by the end of July during the Belgium Grand Prix weekend.
- This season includes the first "Triple Headers" in Formula 1, with races in Spain, Austria, and England in quick succession.
- The tight schedules put a significant strain on the team members, who work long hours to ensure their Racing stable is prepared for each race.
- Although there are rotation systems for mechanics, engineers, and other personnel, these are still challenging weeks, especially for those with longer working hours.
- Valtteri Bottas, the Alfa Romeo driver, acknowledged that a Triple Header in Europe is manageable for him but difficult for other team members.
- The teams have wellbeing managers to ensure the physical and mental health of their employees, with a focus on recovery, workload, and nutrition.
- Mercedes driver George Russell highlighted the challenge of balancing work with family and recovery due to time zone differences and the long-duration Formula 1 circuit travels.
- Formula 1 is aiming to reduce the number of "Triple Headers" and long-distance traveling for sustainability reasons, but race organizers are hesitant to adjust their schedules due to financial considerations.
- The European Formula 1 season from May to September requires teams to transport almost everything by road, making it a challenging time for the Racing stable.
- Aston-Martin driver Fernando Alonso remarked that being in Europe for the Formula 1 season is now more manageable for teams compared to the beginning of the year.
- McLaren Group Limited, the parent company of the McLaren Formula 1 team, employs over 4,000 people who travel with the circuit.
- This year's Formula 1 calendar includes 24 races, with several back-to-back or triple races, and events in multiple time zones, making it a demanding season for the Racing stable and mechanic teams.
