Future calendars: the possible return of the “triplet”

This is not current, but if three grands prix in a row were to be organized again in the future, as was the case this season with France, Austria and England in three weekends, it would no longer be in Europe.

“While back-to-back Grands Prix seem simpler to organize because of the short distances, they are actually much more complex because of the assembly and dismantling of motorhomes and the armada of trucks that must be put in motion, explained the sports director of the F1, Steve Nielsen, in Sochi. In Europe, F1 mobilizes 300 semi-trailers while you have to store everything in containers for the distant Grands Prix.

The distances are much greater, but the need to place the containers on the same planes makes maneuvering easier. F1 organizes all the freight and it is a very efficient process. It’s much smoother than during a European race. In terms of logistics, F1 is better set up for long trips than short ones. »

For Nielsen, if F1 were to use a triplet again, it would be preferable to schedule it for distant events. This will not be the case in 2019 since it was preferred to redistribute the calendar with an early start to the championship and a delayed ending to avoid reliving the adventure. However, for subsequent seasons, the idea could come back to fruition.

Discover the analysis of the Russian GP carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2185 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.