F1 News
Void in Formula 1? 'More and more mechanics quitting'
- Ludo van Denderen
For many, working in Formula One is their big dream: travelling around the world, working together with the biggest stars, watching a Grand Prix up close, and if the assumption is true, make a lot of money. However, a job in F1 also has its downside: very hard work, where for many days, you are away from home and your family.
After a one-month long autumn break because of the changes in the 2024 calendar, once the competition gets underway again on 20 Ocotober at the Circuit of the Americas, it will be intense for not only the drivers, but also for the mechanics and the engineers in the paddock. The six Grands Prix remaining were divided into two tripleheader events, as the grid will first go through the USA, Mexico and then Sao Paulo, to then finish the season with the Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi weekends.
'Mechanics want to save their marriage'
While drivers and team bosses often travel the world in private jets and full of luxury, other workers do not have such luck. According to Blick, more and more mechanics in the competition are fed up with all the travelling and hard work, choosing to save their marriages rather than flying to Qatar once more with Max Verstappen or Lando Norris.
The Swiss newspaper quotes an anonymous team boss: "We now have two teams [of mechanics], which alternate. Otherwise the stress cannot be absorbed. Yes, our staff are really at their limit."
In 2025, there will once again be 24 weekends on the schedule. It is no secret that not only workers, but also drivers would like to see the number of Grands Prix reduced. Defending champion Max Verstappen is for example a big advocate for that, because also he wants to be with his family and loved ones more often.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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28 September 2024
