A longer winter break? Discussions are underway
Formula 1 continues to grow every year, with more and more races on offer. The 2023 season will feature 24 Grand Prix, running from the beginning of March to the end of November, and the technical teams and team staff will be living at a frenetic pace. The Formula 1 teams are currently discussing the possibility of extending the winter break to take account of staff welfare.
Since Liberty Media took over Formula 1 in 2017, the pace of the sport has accelerated for teams and drivers. The addition of new circuits and races to the calendar requires staff to be away from their loved ones for longer periods of time, and the gap between each Grand Prix is much shorter.
Concerned about its issues and the well-being of its employees, Toto Wolff, the boss of the Mercedes team, explains: “Many of us team leaders would like to replicate what we have in the summer, at least by starting at Christmas and entering the new year for two weeks.”
If no decision has been made yet, the subject has been well received and is being discussed within the paddock: « Obviously, it is still under discussion. But there was a positive indication, for the well-being of people », declares Toto Wolff.
Currently, the summer break requires teams to shut down their factories and cease all activities for a minimum of 14 days during the summer. While there are no races in the winter, teams are still operational, with employees working on the development of the new race car. By imposing a break, factories would be closed at Christmas, and the staff would therefore have mandatory time off.
The pre-season test for 2023 will only take place a few days before the first Grand Prix in Bahrain on March 5th. Therefore, the teams will be able to enjoy one of the longest winter breaks in many years at the end of this 2022 season. Currently, there are no tests planned in Europe.
“It’s great that the season is ending a few weeks earlier than in the past, as everyone is really on the edge,” said Wolff.
