Verstappen unhappy with 2020 F1 schedule

Max Verstappen criticised Formula 1's move to a 22-race calendar in 2020, saying it has been implemented without thinking about the impacts on team personnel.

Verstappen's soaring popularity in the Netherlands pushed Liberty Media to bring the Dutch Grand Prix back to the calendar next year, with a long-negotiated deal to form a street race in Vietnam also coming to fruition next year.

F1 CEO Chase Carey had said that two races would make way as a result, but only the German Grand Prix will not return next year, with races in Britain, Italy, Mexico and Spain having secured new deals.

Verstappen says that the engineering staff on the teams will be worst affected.

"I don't agree with 22 races a year. I think we should just pick the best tracks out there," he said.

"I know they want to make money, but they also have to think about the mechanics who rock up to the track. I mean, they arrive on a Monday or Tuesday to build everything up while the big bosses arrive on a Friday or maybe even a Saturday morning and fly, even during the race, back home.

"For them it's not a problem, they can do easily 30 because they only away for two days.

"But for most of the people it's at least five, six days. And I'm not even complaining about us [the drivers]. It's more the mechanics; they can file for divorce straight away."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton is walking a dangerous line with Ferrari criticism: 'They have never liked this'

• 59 minutes ago

McLaren to create 1000 UK jobs with new £450m investment

• 2 hours ago

F1 News Today: Ferrari confirm Monza inquest as Lewis Hamilton puts his boss on the hotseat

• 3 hours ago

Red Bull Racing announce signing of F1 legend's 'exceptional' son

• Today 15:28

Max Verstappen reveals message to Red Bull team in huge contract negotiations

• Today 13:58

Charles Leclerc shares health update ahead of Spanish Grand Prix after huge crash at Monza

• Today 12:25