The Hidden Toll of Formula One's Global Circus
The Formula One season is set to begin with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2026, but behind the glamour and speed lies a story of relentless travel and extreme demands. A new book, Formula One: The World's Most Beautiful Sport by Stewart Bell, published on February 24, 2026, pulls back the curtain on how teams and personnel navigate this high-stakes world.
Unveiling the Brutal Reality of F1 Travel
Stewart Bell, with over two decades of experience covering Formula One, details how an F1 team requires millions of dollars for design, manufacture, and racing two cars every two weeks across a global itinerary. For drivers, the challenges include violent physical forces and cockpit temperatures soaring to 60°C. The book highlights the pressures of constant international travel, celebrity status, and the expectation to deliver superhuman performances for teams and nearly a billion viewers worldwide.
In an extract from the book, titled Formula One: The World's Most Brutal Sport, Chapter 14, "Destination Races," reveals that international travel, while a luxury for fans, is one of the most brutal elements for those working in the sport. Long-haul flights, constant jetlag, and punishing hours under immense pressure can quickly turn dreams into nightmares.
The Staggering Distances and Personal Stories
An F1 team travels approximately 120,000 kilometres per season, averaging 5,000 kilometres to each race, despite efforts to regionalise the calendar. Over a multi-decade career, this adds up to astronomical figures. For instance, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, the sport's most experienced driver, has competed in over 400 races since 2001, travelling more than two million kilometres—equivalent to circling the Earth 50 times. This excludes his other racing ventures, such as the World Endurance Championship and Dakar rally.
Alonso, described as a force of nature, exemplifies longevity in a sport where fewer than 20 drivers have reached 250 starts. His rival, Max Verstappen, stands out as the only current driver owning a private jet, a Dassault Falcon 8X valued at around $70.9 million, allowing him to travel hassle-free. In contrast, the vast majority of the 2,000 pit lane personnel travel via traditional airlines, often in economy class, enduring physical and mental strain throughout the season.
Weather Extremes and Calendar Evolution
At the track, teams work in all weather conditions, with temperatures in 2024 ranging from 10.9°C at Silverstone to 35.6°C at Interlagos. The relentless pace of the global series, including double and triple-headers, makes it increasingly rare for individuals, including media, to attend every race or sustain long-term careers in the sport.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has stated that the current maximum of 24 Grands Prix strikes the right balance, with no increases expected soon, despite income from hosting deals. This marks a quantum leap from the inaugural 1950 season, which featured just seven rounds, mostly in Europe. Over the decades, the calendar expanded to include destinations like Argentina, Morocco, and Australia, with the latter spurred by local interest in champion Alan Jones in 1980.
The evolution of circuits has seen iconic venues like Silverstone and Monaco endure, while others have faded. Today, Formula One's travel demands continue to shape the sport, blending beauty with brutality in a relentless global pursuit.
