Carlos Sainz on F1's 2026 Calendar: More Races, More Problems?

Carlos Sainz, now donning the Williams colors, has raised a thoughtful eyebrow at the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. With nine grands prix crammed into just 11 weekends to wrap up the season, he wonders if more might not always mean better for the sport. While Sainz personally relishes any opportunity to race, he suggests that Formula 1 should ponder whether an overstuffed schedule risks becoming too routine, likening it to a Premier League season rather than the knockout thrill of the Champions League.

As a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, Sainz is well-placed to comment on the potential strains this calendar could impose, not just on drivers but on everyone involved. "If I were a fan, I'd love the idea of more F1 on TV," he admits. "But I remember when there were only 16 or 18 races, and missing F1 made it even more special." The concern, as Sainz outlines, is that a relentless stream of races might lead fans to pay less attention, with Formula 1's unique appeal eroding into the familiarity of a league.

Sainz cites the current thinking within the GPDA, which suggests a cap of 24 to 25 races as the sustainable limit for the championship. While the Concorde Agreement allows for a 24-race calendar, any expansion hinges on the teams' capacity to handle such a grueling schedule. "It's the team members who face the toughest challenges," Sainz observes, noting that while drivers are in a more privileged position, the relentless calendar leaves team staff with scant time at home.

Despite these concerns, Sainz's passion for racing remains undiminished. "I have the motivation to do however many races we need to do," he insists. Yet, even for him, the trio of consecutive triple-headers at the season's end is a daunting prospect, both physically and mentally. As the sport contemplates its future direction, balancing the thrill of racing with the wellbeing of everyone involved will be a delicate task indeed.