Carlos Sainz has suggested that Formula 1 could take a cue from the UEFA Champions League when shaping its calendar, warning that the current setup risks losing fans’ interest.
Sainz, now with Williams, has been vocal in discussions with F1 leadership about the packed schedule. The 2026 season is set to feature 24 Grands Prix along with six Sprint events, matching the record number of rounds first reached in 2024.
There could be even more events on the horizon. During pre-season testing in Bahrain, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali mentioned ongoing talks about expanding to 12 Sprint races in 2027. While the total number of Grands Prix will remain capped at 24, additional Sprint events would still add to an already crowded calendar.
Why Carlos Sainz wants F1 to take a page out of the Champions League playbook
Looking at how the calendar has grown over the years, Sainz worries that adding more than 24 Grands Prix would make things feel a bit overwhelming. Back in 2015, his first year with Toro Rosso, there were just 19 races. That jumped to 21 in 2016, then to 22 in 2021, and it’s been at 24 since 2024.
Sainz thinks F1 needs to keep some of that special feeling by not overloading the schedule. He compared it to how UEFA keeps the Champions League separate from regular league matches.
“I don’t think there will be fewer races. But there won’t be many more, either,” Sainz told Cadena SER. “In my conversations with the bosses, I keep asking them if they think things are getting a bit out of hand.”
“And it’s not that they’ve promised me anything, but it does seem like 24 is the number they’ve set as their limit. So, I hope they don’t go much further.
“Speaking of the Champions League, I think it’s a bit the same. A Champions League match is great to watch because you don’t get to see it every day or every week. And I think F1 has to maintain that spirit, not showing it every day.
“Because otherwise it becomes a bit more like La Liga, which is very interesting, but there are many more matches and missing one isn’t the end of the world.”
Turkey set to rejoin F1 calendar in 2027 as part of schedule shake-up
The 2027 F1 calendar will look a bit different, with Zandvoort dropping out after its final race in 2026. In its place, Portugal will return, and Spa will start alternating with Barcelona.
Istanbul Park is also expected to make a comeback. According to AS-WEB, Turkey is close to signing a long-term deal to bring the Turkish Grand Prix back from 2027. The circuit will need some upgrades before then, as F1 plans to pair it with Baku as back-to-back flyaway races.
The sport is looking at adding more rotational events, aiming for a mix of 20 alternating venues and 14 permanent circuits to keep the total at 24 rounds. There’s even talk of having up to 30 tracks under contract while maintaining just 14 permanent fixtures on the schedule.
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