Back in April, we explored the complex process Formula 1 undertakes to construct its annual race calendars. This intricate task involves meticulously balancing over 20 races across diverse global locations, a challenge significantly complicated by a myriad of factors including seasonal weather patterns, national and religious holidays, and the specific preferences of race promoters. Crafting a schedule that is both commercially viable and logistically sound is a monumental undertaking, requiring foresight, flexibility, and a deep understanding of global dynamics. The goal is always to maximize viewership and revenue while minimizing the immense logistical burden on teams and personnel.
That initial feature introduced a proposed calendar structure designed with efficiency at its core. The suggestion involved strategically grouping regional events together to significantly reduce travel time and associated costs, a key objective articulated by Liberty Media since acquiring the sport. Crucially, this optimization aimed to avoid undue saturation of races within specific territories, ensuring market health and sustained fan engagement. The concept resonated positively with several promoters; one even quipped (perhaps with a touch of irony) that such a logical approach would likely not be adopted by the sport’s management, highlighting the often-political nature of calendar decisions.
The 2018 Season: A Precedent for Calendar Congestion and Fatigue
The motivation behind these discussions stemmed directly from the 2018 calendar, which proved to be a logistical conundrum for teams, personnel, and fans alike. The latter half of the season was particularly grueling, cramming the final nine rounds into a relentless 12-Sunday block that stretched from late August to the very last weekend of November. This intense period included an unprecedented five races in just six weeks during the height of summer, featuring Formula 1’s inaugural triple-header—a trio of Grands Prix held on consecutive weekends. In stark contrast, the opening seven rounds of the season were leisurely spread over a more manageable three-month period. Across the entire schedule, there were five back-to-back race weekends: two in Europe/Asia, and one in North America. This uneven distribution and excessively compressed schedule raised immediate concerns about sustainability and the well-being of all involved within the F1 paddock.
It’s hardly surprising that a palpable sense of fatigue began to set in amongst teams, drivers, and staff, despite a full third of the season still remaining. The demanding pace, coupled with extensive international travel, placed immense strain on individuals, impacting performance, morale, and personal lives. The physical and mental toll of such an intense schedule, particularly for those who spend months away from home, became a major talking point within the F1 community. Such a schedule not only affects the human element but also increases the risk of errors in logistics and car preparation, potentially impacting on-track performance and safety.
Liberty Media’s Initial Calendar Attempts: Missed Opportunities for Efficiency
When Liberty Media assumed control of Formula 1 in January 2017, there were high hopes that their fresh perspective would lead to a more streamlined and considerate calendar. Many anticipated that lessons would be learned from the challenges of their initial schedules. However, these hopes were largely dashed with the publication of the draft 2019 F1 calendar. Rather than showcasing a thoughtful, regionally integrated flow of events designed to minimize travel and maximize efficiency, the calendar appeared to be constructed in a piecemeal fashion, with individual events seemingly slotted in without a cohesive overarching strategy. This approach directly contradicted Liberty’s stated goals of reducing costs and improving the sport’s operational efficiency and sustainability.
The inefficiencies were glaringly obvious from an early stage. For instance, consider the geographical arrangement of the early-season races. Most long-haul flights originating from Europe to destinations like Australia or China – including those operated by F1 corporate sponsor Emirates – typically traverse directly over the Middle East. Yet, the Melbourne, Bahrain, and Shanghai rounds were inexplicably spaced two weeks apart respectively. This presented a seemingly self-evident opportunity to pair races in the Middle East with those in Asia or Australia, thereby drastically slashing air miles, fuel consumption, and travel time for all involved. The failure to capitalize on such a straightforward logistical advantage underscored a perceived lack of strategic planning in the calendar’s construction, leading to unnecessary travel and increased carbon footprint.
A similar logistical oversight was evident in the scheduling of the final two rounds: Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi. In previous seasons, these races were sensibly paired as back-to-back events. This made perfect geographical and economic sense, as the minor detour to the United Arab Emirates on the outward leg from Europe or Asia was more than offset by the significant savings in flying time and costs incurred by avoiding two separate intercontinental flights. For 2019, however, these two geographically disparate events were inexplicably separated by a fortnight. This forced teams and personnel to undertake an additional, entirely unnecessary long-haul journey across continents, incurring substantial additional expenses in freight, flights, and accommodation, further exacerbating the financial strain on teams.
The Financial and Human Cost of Inefficient Scheduling
The cumulative effect of these seemingly minor scheduling missteps in the 2019 calendar was significant and far-reaching. The season was slated to commence a week earlier and conclude later than any Formula 1 season in the past five decades, stretching the endurance of everyone involved to unprecedented levels. More critically, despite its extended duration, the calendar was logistically more convoluted and, consequently, far costlier than ever before. Conservative estimates suggested that the financial outlay for attending the full 2019 season would be at least 30% higher than the already record-breaking costs of the 2018 season. This substantial increase in expenditure directly undermined Liberty Media’s publicly stated aim to reduce the overall financial burden on teams, particularly the smaller, independent outfits that operate on tighter budgets and rely on every efficiency to remain competitive.
Beyond the glaring missed opportunities for back-to-back races discussed previously, let’s examine another particularly inefficient cluster: the Singapore, Russia, and Japan sequence. In the proposed 2019 schedule, Singapore and Russia were slated as back-to-back events, with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka following Sochi. This arrangement meant that F1 personnel would fly from Europe to Singapore, then backtrack thousands of miles to Moscow (or nearby airports) to reach Sochi, before returning to Europe. Just two weeks later, they would then fly eastward again, directly past Singapore, to reach Japan. This circular, inefficient routing is a prime example of how poor calendar planning can exacerbate travel fatigue, significantly increase the sport’s carbon footprint, and inflate operational costs unnecessarily. It represents a significant departure from sensible geographical flow and responsible resource management, directly contradicting the sport’s burgeoning focus on environmental sustainability.
A More Logical Approach: Optimizing the F1 Season for Success
Imagine a more rational and streamlined routing for this segment of the season, and indeed for the calendar as a whole. A truly optimized schedule could sequence Russia, followed two weeks later by Singapore, then immediately by Japan. This arrangement would efficiently group the crucial Asian and European legs, completing them before the rigorous “American slog” commences a fortnight later. Subsequently, the suggested back-to-back pairing of Brazil and Abu Dhabi could round off the season another fortnight after the Americas races. Such a logical routing would yield substantial benefits: saving a minimum of three intercontinental flights, drastically cutting down on travel time, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and enabling the season to conclude a full week earlier. These are not just theoretical savings, but practical improvements that directly benefit the entire F1 ecosystem.
The advantages of a more compact and regionally coherent calendar extend far beyond mere financial cost savings. For the teams, an earlier season conclusion offers invaluable extra time to focus on the critical task of new car builds for the subsequent year, allowing for more thorough development, testing, and crucial preparation for the demands of the next championship battle. It also provides a much-needed period of rest and recuperation for the hundreds of dedicated individuals who comprise the Formula 1 circus, allowing them to spend quality time at home with loved ones and mitigate the mental and physical toll of constant travel. Furthermore, essential formalities such as end-of-year gala awards and comprehensive team debriefs could be dispensed with well in advance of the festive season, reducing pressure and improving overall welfare. It is abundantly clear that with greater strategic effort, a significantly more cost- and time-efficient 2019 calendar was not only achievable but essential for the long-term health and sustainability of the sport.
It is understood that Liberty Media operates a policy of staff rotation for race attendance; for example, typically two out of their top three managers attend each Grand Prix, with other positions also rotating. While this approach aims to manage personnel workload and broaden experience, it doesn’t diminish the fundamental importance of a well-planned calendar for the vast majority of F1 personnel who are required at every single event. The underlying reasons for such a fragmented calendar, especially when efficiency and cost reduction are paramount to the sport’s future, warrant closer scrutiny and a transparent explanation from F1’s leadership.
Liberty’s Stated Aims vs. Calendar Reality: A Call for Consistency
One of Liberty Media’s most frequently reiterated objectives since taking over Formula 1 has been to reduce the sport’s notoriously high operating costs. This commitment has been central to their vision for a more sustainable and equitable future for all teams, aiming to create a level playing field and attract new participants. However, the proposed 2019 calendar, with its evident logistical inefficiencies and projected significant cost increases, directly defied both common logic and this core stated aim. Where the 2018 schedule was criticized for being hectic in the extreme due to its compressed nature, the 2019 program, paradoxically, appeared almost lethargic in its spacing of certain races, yet equally demanding in its overall length and travel requirements. This contradictory outcome highlights a critical disconnect between strategic intent and practical execution, raising questions about the effectiveness of their calendar planning department.
The onus is now firmly on Liberty Media to demonstrate a clearer strategic vision for calendar planning. While their first two attempts (2018 and 2019) presented significant challenges and drew widespread criticism, there remains hope that their third iteration – the calendar for the 2020 season – will finally strike a much-needed “happy medium.” The template for an efficient, cost-effective, and personnel-friendly schedule, one that respects both commercial demands and human factors, is readily available. It requires a commitment to geographical sense, logistical optimization, and a genuine understanding of the immense pressures faced by those who make the sport possible, from the mechanics in the garage to the media personnel in the paddock. Only through such a concerted effort can Formula 1 truly align its ambitious vision with the practical realities of its global operations.
Further Reading: Insights into the 2019 F1 Season
- Crying in the Melbourne car park at 2019 grand prix was my career low – Ocon
- McLaren Racing reports reduced £71 million loss in 2019
- Kvyat: Hockenheim podium last year was “my biggest achievement” so far
- How the FIA’s new encrypted fuel flow meter targets Ferrari’s suspected ‘aliasing’ trick
- “He smashed my office door”: 23 must-see moments from ‘Drive to Survive’ season two
Browse all 2019 F1 season articles