Max Verstappen questions F1 chiefs over 'odd' Abu Dhabi Grand Prix decision

23 November 2023 , 16:59

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Max Verstappen questioned the organisation of the Las Vegas-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix double header (Image: AP)

Max Verstappen questioned Formula 1's commitment to sustainability as he pointed out the problems with a Las Vegas-Abu Dhabi double header.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has become the traditional end-of-season event in recent years. But this season, for the first time, it comes directly after the new showpiece event in Las Vegas.

It presented an enormous logistical challenge. There is a time difference of 12 hours between the two event locations and plenty of freight which needed to be transported around the world in just a few short days to make sure everything was set up on time to get going in Abu Dhabi.

And that's without mentioning the effect on drivers and team staff who had to make that same journey. Verstappen brought up that subject as he spoke to reporters on media day.

"It's a bit tough to understand what time zone that you're in," said the Red Bull racer. "I think what does help here is that it's all a bit later, like you try to have a good night's sleep and stuff."

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He and his colleagues will be going through the same transition this time next year, too. The 2024 season is scheduled to end with a gruelling triple-header, starting with the Las Vegas race before another global dash to get to Qatar before finishing, as usual, in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen said he and his fellow drivers will be discussing the issue with F1 chiefs as he questioned not only the impact on personnel but also on the sport's commitment to becoming carbon neutral. He added: "I definitely think for the future – of course for next year it's not possible – but it's a little bit odd that we are on the other side of the world basically before getting here. Especially when you're talking about sustainability.

"It's probably not very sustainable, not only for the emissions but also for the human body. Eventually we always deal with it, but I don't think it's great. We'll talk to F1 about that, if there is something that we can do for the future to make it a little bit more of a normal end to the year.

"It's already a lot of races, a lot of travelling in the end, after the summer break, basically. I think we can do a little bit of a better job with placing the Grands Prix. But already for next year I think they are doing that at the start of the year, so that will help."

The 2024 calendar is set to be the sport's biggest ever with 24 race weekends between the end of February and the start of December. The same number was due to be held this year but China was removed before the campaign even began, while the Imola round was called off over heavy flooding in the Emilia Romagna region.

Daniel Moxon