Winter shutdown being considered for F1 teams

Formula 1 is considering a mandatory shut down break for F1 teams during the winter. Currently, the only forced shutdown sits inside the summer break where staff are forced to have two weeks off.

With the season extended to 21 races, plus the possibility of more in future seasons, a proper rest week is deemed to be required.

Earlier this week, Formula 1 announced the addition of the Vietnam Grand Prix for the 2020 season. Also on the cards for the same year is a Grand Prix in the Netherlands. World Champion Lewis Hamilton has already expressed his thoughts about a longer season.

"I am not going to be here if it gets to 25 races, that's for sure. I am someone who really loves racing, but the season is long, it takes a big commitment from all of us, and it is a long time away from our families," Hamilton said in an interview on onestopstrategy.

"The seasons are getting longer, and the off-time is getting shorter, so from a competitor's point of view the turnaround is short. You start preparing for next year as soon as the season is so done, so getting your mind tuned is very difficult," the Mercedes driver added.