The taxing Formula 1 schedule — with the expanded 24-race calendar — and the toll it takes on the drivers is much spoken about. Well, the load equally (arguably, even more) falls on other members of the bandwagon too. It is not easy for the pit crews, technicians, mechanics, and engineers to travel the globe and work throughout the year. The hectic schedule has prompted Red Bull technician Calum Nicholas to mull quitting his F1 career altogether.
Speaking on the Road to Success podcast, Nicholas revealed that the work of an F1 team crew isn’t just limited to the 24 race weekends. The team has to work during testing schedules and filming days throughout the year.
It means the British technician spends more time with his Red Bull colleagues than with his partner and daughter, something he dislikes immensely.
“I don’t wanna do it anymore,” admitted Nicholas.
“I mean, look at it this season, you know, by the time you’ve done pre-season testing, the old tire tests in the middle, and the Abu Dhabi test at the end of the season, you’re away for the best part — 200 days a year,” he added.
Presenting… the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar!#F1 pic.twitter.com/qrBB52ncRd
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 12, 2024
That said, he acknowledged that the amount of time he has spent with his teammates, has made him build strong friendships. That helps Nicholas cope with many missed family moments.
For instance, he narrated a time when his daughter’s birthday clashed with the Brazilian GP weekend. And his Red Bull colleagues lifted his spirits.
However, if F1 continues to expand its calendar, teams may have to take measures to prevent burnout.
Nicholas believes more teams may have to use rotational squads
The 24-race calendar is an experiment the Formula One Management and the FIA have tried with the view of expanding it to even 25 or 26 races in the future. Nicholas highlighted the perils of such a schedule, especially on the human body and mind.
The race calendar is also split between multiple continents, and the constant change in time zones bothers F1 crews a lot.
“In particular, when I fly east, so when I come home from America or whatever, that’s every time. It puts me down for a day,” Nicholas revealed whilst explaining how he gets massively jet-lagged.
Nicholas, who works as a Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician at Red Bull, also spoke about how rotational squads would soon become a necessity in F1.
McLaren implemented this last season to cope with the extensive racing schedule. Nicholas believes every team will opt for it if things get more hectic in the coming years.
