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Teams have to inform Formula One when they are shutting down as it can be taken at anytime over the 4 week period. Most closed today but some have already shut down last week.
Today most of the teams when on their 14 day compulsory summer holiday which unlike last season is at the right time. Last year if you remember they took the break at the start of the season to make up time and not waste the lock down period.
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12 races are left to complete the season so anything can still happen depending on what upgrades the teams bring in and how effective these are.
What this period means is everyone has to put down their tools and close their laptops or whatever else they are doing. No one team is allowed to do anything regarding car development. The power units or engine suppliers are also included in this rule and basically the offices and factories are locked up. The rules stipulate only certain areas can continue to work like marketing and advertising which has nothing to do with the car.
The one part of the factory that is allowed to work is servicing or upgrading the wind tunnel so it is ready for the teams when they return from their summer holidays. The racing season has shut down for 1 month so this at least gives the teams a break plus they can still fit in two weeks of development when they return. This is the period when upgrades are expected to happen.
When you think about it 23 races in 8 months is a tall order considering the travel and logistics that is involved. The time these teams spend with their families is minimal and why they are paid so well as their are sacrifices made. A normal weekend for these guys if you are part of the team is taken on a Tuesday and Wednesday as weekends are race days starting on Thursday with travelling wherever you are going. Mondays are normally back at the factories for a debriefing so the week is a full week with no spare time.
The season is getting longer and longer each year as in 2019 they completed 21 races in 21 different countries. Next year the talk is adding the new Miami circuit to the list plus we have Vietnam that has been waiting patiently after they built their circuit. Not forgetting Canada and China who have missed out so expect to see and extra 3 or 4 races added to the list taking the tally up to a possible 27 races. Theoretically this would mean a solid 9 month racing season with very little down time for anyone involved.
The American market is very important for the sport as this is where they are looking to grow their fan base. I expect next year to remain at 23 races with a few circuits from this year missing out next season and then slowly add them back extending the season into a 9 month season. The FIA and Formula One need to have careful planning giving the teams enough time to adapt to the new demands as they are basically increasing the teams work load by another 30 percent since 2019. Less staff due to cost caps with more work so are they being realistic and asking too much we will have to wait and see.
The sport is evolving as this is all about generating revenue through sponsorships and television coverage. The teams cannot complain as they are making more money than before along with the cost caps introduced 2 years ago they are all making healthy profits. This is good for the sport and will no doubt attract new teams as the cap of $145 million is being balanced by decent returns.