Franz Tost: 24 races are not a problem - overload is a joke!

Franz Tost: 24 races are not a problem - overload is a joke!

Franz Tost, the long-time team boss of Alphatauri, has clear views on the workload of the Formula 1 mechanic. On a panel discussion of the "Sport brand Medien", the 69-year-old found that the mechanics were by no means overloaded and 24 races per season were completely acceptable. He described the recurring discussion about the overload of the staff as "total joke". For years, as in an interview with the Formula 1 podcast 'Starting Grid', he has been heard from 2019, in which he found the current burden to be reasonable. Tost also criticized the new locking hours regulations that are supposed to limit the working hours of the mechanics.

tradition meets changes

The former engineer Blake Hinsey had questioned the payment and working conditions of the mechanics in the past and emphasized that they would often reach their limits both mentally and physically. Tost vehemently countered this view by pointing out the advantages that a career in Formula 1 has. He believes that - despite the intensive working hours - working in the racing circus should be seen as a privilege. He pointed out past values when mechanics worked for tests deep into the night, and skeptically expressed himself about the direction that the regulations are currently doing, in particular when it comes to reducing test opportunities and the introduction of stricter working hours.

The new regulation could continue to change the work environment, since the "Curfew" could now also be expanded to Thursday evening. Tost, which shapes Formula 1 since 2000, sees these developments a danger to the tradition and spirit of racing, since he compares the situation from the past with today's and always emphasizes that, despite the high demands, the mechanics should make their work proud. "I wonder where this should lead," said Tost, who perceives the previous change as exaggerated and criticizes that one wants to take more and more freedom to the mechanics and engineers.

The first Grand Prix of the coming season will be in Australia on March 16. The official test drives will take place in Bahrain from February 26th to 28th. In this context, it remains to be seen how the teams will react to the recurring discussions about workload and test conditions, because the pressure in high -performance sport Formula 1 remains enormous.