Steiner hopeful of green light for F1 calendar plan

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner is hopeful F1 can achieve its planned regional grouping of the calendar next season ahead of the first logistical challenge of the season over the next two weeks.

The sport arrives in Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend for the first stage of a double-header with Montréal in Canada.

The two races are separated by a distance of around 5500 miles [8900km] and is the first of a number of difficult challenges provided to the teams logistically, with double and triple-headers bolstering the calendar, including a Brazil-Abu Dhabi end to the campaign.

Plans for regional grouping of events were unveiled to the teams across last month's Spanish Grand Prix weekend in order to reduce pressure on personnel in the paddock as well as bringing down costs, whilst also assisting the sport's sustainability targets.

“The challenges are that you go from one continent to another, it’s a long trip and the team is working very hard to get it all done," explained Steiner.

"It’s just down to having a good team around and working hard but it’s a challenge as they only have a few days to get set-up again and get going again for the next race.

"If you have any damage on the car, it gets more difficult so we’re hoping to not have any damage in Baku.

"On the plans for next season, it would be great if we can combine the races regionally.

"I know that Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO] is working very hard on that one and it will go in the right direction next year.”

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