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Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko Calls for Reform of F1 Calendar Amid Sustainability Concerns
As the Formula 1 calendar continues to expand, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has expressed concerns about the sustainability of the current schedule. With the 2024 season featuring a record 24 grands prix across 21 different countries, Marko believes that the length of the calendar is becoming increasingly untenable.
Marko, who has been instrumental in Red Bull’s success since their inception in 2005, has overseen eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles. However, he has grown increasingly concerned about the demands of the modern F1 calendar, which he believes is taking a toll on teams and drivers alike.
Last season, Marko revealed that he would be missing a few races due to the demands of the calendar, but still managed to oversee another successful season for Red Bull. Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive championship victory, despite Red Bull’s struggles in the teams’ standings, with the Dutchman claiming nine victories across the season.
However, Marko believes that the current length of the calendar is not sustainable in the long term. He has suggested that some tracks may need to be removed from the calendar altogether in order to maintain a more balanced and manageable schedule.
“The current calendar is a bit of a mixed bag,” Marko told Austrian broadcast ORF. “On the one hand, you have the traditional European races that are steeped in history and culture. On the other hand, you have newer grands prix that may provide spectacle, but lack a certain depth and tradition.”
Marko cited the example of Spa and Monza, two of the most iconic and historic tracks on the F1 calendar. “These tracks have a certain culture and tradition that is essential to the sport,” he said. “We need to find a way to balance the calendar and ensure that we are preserving the best of the sport, while also making it sustainable for teams and drivers.”
One possible solution, according to Marko, is to reduce the number of grands prix on the calendar. “If we want to keep the current number of races, we need to find a way to make it more manageable,” he said. “One option could be to have two line-ups
