This year Formula 1 drivers had more challenges than ever: they had to compete in 24 Grands Prix and 6 race races. Was that too much? McLaren talent Oscar Piastri gives an answer to this question.
Last year, the Formula 1 World Championship was supposed to last 24 rounds, but because the Grand Prix in China and the Imola race were canceled due to the Corona situation in China and the flood disaster in the Emilia Romagna region, the GP took place – Stars finally 22 of the weekend race.
This year, tests of strength were held at the Shanghai International Circuit and the Imola circuit, for drivers and teams to complete an exciting 24-weekend race. Six rounds of the World Championship were held in a race format, bringing the total number of races and qualifying periods up to 30.
The long season took its toll on the team and the drivers, as Oscar Piastri explained. The McLaren star, who has been competing in Formula 1 since 2023, insisted: “Compared to my first Formula 1 season, things went much better because I knew what to expect.” At the same time, he made it clear: “The last six races, three of which took place on consecutive weekends, were difficult.”
“This is not just for us, but for everyone here who traveled from Las Vegas to Qatar and therefore had to go through a time zone change,” the Australian continued. “It was difficult for us drivers, but the schedule was even more difficult for the team members and mechanics, who arrived and left earlier.”
So it’s understandable that not all team members will compete at the site throughout the season, said Piastri. “Teams need to hire more people because for most people it doesn’t make sense to work on the track for 24 race weekends. So that has its implications. But Formula 1 and the FIA are trying to make the race order wise to improve that situation. I think there is more that can be done, but like I said, it’s more about the team than us drivers.
Next year, after the pre-season tests in Bahrain (February 26 to 28, 2025), there are 24 rounds of the World Championship on the program. The season starts in mid-March and ends in early December. At the end of the season, Formula 1 teams must complete three GPs and one race over three consecutive race weekends, as they did this year, and accept the time zone change from Las Vegas to Qatar.
Formula 1 2025 winter testing
02/26 to February 28 in Bahrain
Formula 1 World Championship 2025
16.03. Australian Physician, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
23.03. China-GP, Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai *
06.04. Japan-GP, Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka
13.04. Bahrain-GP, Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
20.04. Saudi-Arabian-GP, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Dschidda
04.05. Miami-GP, Miami International Autodrome, Miami *
18.05. Emilia Romagna-GP, Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari, Imola
25.05. Monaco-GP, Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo
01.06. Spanien-GP, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló 15.06. Canada-GP, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
June 29 Austrian GP, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
06.07. British GP, Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone
27.07. Belgien-GP, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Business *
03.08. Hungarian GP, Hungary, Budapest
31.08. Dutch GP, Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort
07.09. Italien-GP, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza
21.09. Azerbaijan-GP, Baku City Circuit, Baku
05.10. Singapore-GP, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
19.10. Austin-GP, Circuit of the Americas, Austin *
26.10. Mexico-GP, Autodromo Hermann Rodríguez, Mexico-Stadt 09.11. Brasilien-GP, Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos * 22.11. Las Vegas-GP, Las Vegas Street Circuit, Las Vegas
30.11. Qatar-GP, Losail International Circuit, Doha *
07.12. Abu Dhabi-GP, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
