F1 'tested to the absolute limit' with tri-continent triple-header

F1 sporting director Steve Nielsen has described how the sport was "tested to the absolute limit" with a tri-continent triple-header in 2021.

Triple-header scheduling has been frowned upon by teams due to concerns raised over staff welfare, however, the Covid-19 pandemic has made runs of three race weekends in a row a necessity in cases.

Whilst there were triple-headers throughout 2021, the trio of Mexico to Brazil to Qatar was questioned for the long-haul nature of the travel between.

There were logistical issues as well with freight being delayed on the way to São Paulo, ensuring later nights for those preparing cars and garages on the Thursday of what was a strenuous sprint trial weekend.

"They've not been universally popular, triple-headers," conceded Nielsen.

"I think the first one we did was two or three years ago in Europe. We recognised that it was something that we would try and avoid in the future.

"Then, of course, Covid came along and we had to condense last year's championship into a very short space of time. I think I'm right in saying that by the end of this race [Abu Dhabi], we'd have done 39 races in 17 and a half months.

"That is only possible because of an increased number of double-headers and the inclusion of several sets of triple-headers, sometimes using the same place - we did a double race in Bahrain last year and then coming here [Abu Dhabi]."

Assessing the difficulties of the 2021 schedule, Nielsen added: "This year, for the first time ever, we did a triple-header flyaway in three different destinations with a very long last leg between, Brazil and Qatar.

"That tested everybody to the absolute limit, and our partners DHL did a fantastic job there. It was successful in as much as it worked, the races took place.

"It was a tough challenge to do it. You're working right on the edge of what's possible logistically, and any hiccup has a knock-on effect to the teams, which we're also very conscious of.

"It's a tool in the box that we have to deploy when needed, but we don't do it liberally. We are very cautious about how we use triple-header races because we know it's not everybody's first choice.

"But was it a success? Absolutely. Necessary to do it. Everybody worked hard with our partner DHL, the teams, Formula 1, Pirelli, they all did a fantastic job, we pulled it off, but we are frivolous about the way we use it."

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