After a grueling first part of the 2022 Formula 1 season made up of 13 races in 20 weeks, the Grand Circus paddock will enjoy a summer break in August, right after the Hungarian GP.
There will be no official circuit activity for a whole month, with the teams returning to compete at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps from August 26-28.
That means it’s more than three weeks off without world travel for Formula 1, and while everyone involved will be able to enjoy some well-deserved time off, it doesn’t mean that everything closes in that period.
Formula 1 paddock
What is the Formula 1 summer break?
Formula 1’s summer break is so important in every season that it is built into the sporting regulations , with penalties for teams that break the rules.
In a general sense, the summer break of the highest category of motorsport is the period that elapses between the last race in July, which in 2022 is the one in Hungary, from the 29th to the 31st of that month, until the first after the return in August or beginning of September, which this year will be the Belgian GP , from August 26 to 28.
For the teams, which have no official races or tests to attend or prepare for until the end of Formula 1’s summer break, there is also a mandatory closure of factories , during which work is severely restricted to basic functions, just to make sure the equipment works.
This rule is explained in article 21.8 of the FIA F1 Sporting Regulations: “All competitors must respect a stoppage period of fourteen (14) consecutive days during the months of July and/or August.”
During this period the teams cannot work on car design, development or part production, including planning or holding meetings.
You also may not work in the wind tunnels or on assembly of parts at any time during the 14-day period, but essential work such as servicing and maintenance is permitted.
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin AMR22, pit stop during a practice session
Teams can repair damaged cars, but they need to get permission from the FIA to do so, while anything unrelated to the F1 team is allowed.
Grand Circus teams can activate their 14-day layoff period at any time during the summer break, with most teams opting for two weeks in between , to give them time to unpack from the previous race and prepare. for the next race after the break.
But F1 teams don’t need to do it at the same time, so some teams may start or end these mandatory rest days earlier than others.
The summer break was also continued during the year 2020, affected by COVID-19, but it was brought forward to March and April in order to allow the season to start and develop from July.
Although the rules of the sporting regulations apply to all teams, they also generally come into play for the FIA, race officials, suppliers, the media and other parties involved in the series that ensure that F1 can go out ahead.
Why does Formula 1 have a summer break?
Since the F1 calendar was expanded to more than 20 races per season, the summer break has been implemented to guarantee free time, and it has been necessary to establish some rules to prevent teams from exploiting it to gain a competitive advantage. .
It is also a way of keeping costs under control, having been installed well in advance of the current cost cap regulations for F1 teams, because it means that each team has to pause their research and development work.
It also allows team personnel to spend time away from F1 and work, to relax and unwind with family and friends, before the action resumes in the frenetic run of racing until the end of the season.
As the F1 teams start their hard work as soon as the Christmas break is over, it is the first genuine period of disconnection from their work for many departments in each team. It also serves as a welcome respite before work ramps up again for the season finale and the focus shifts to the next campaign.
What happens and what do the teams do during the F1 summer break?
What happens during the summer break varies from department to department within an F1 team but, for the vast majority, all work stops during these mandatory 14 days off. It covers any area that works specifically on the performance or operation of the F1 team and cars, from the most important to the smallest.
Only a few departments can continue to work, which are the ones that do not have a direct impact on the performance of the car. They are mainly the areas of marketing, finance and the legal department.
Outside of the mandatory 14-day shutdown period, all areas of an F1 team can function as normal, as long as they comply with the usual regular season rules and permits.
F1 drivers can also enjoy this break, usually only meeting with the team the day after the last race before the summer break and meeting any media or marketing commitments. Afterwards, the drivers can go on holiday and usually return to the team’s factory during the week before the next race to work on the simulator.
When does Formula 1 return after the summer break?
The 2022 F1 season will resume after the holidays with the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps on August 26-28, which will kick off the final nine races, which will take place over the next 12 weeks.
The season will conclude with the Abu Dhabi GP, from November 18 to 20.
F1 race calendar for 2022 after the summer break
- Belgian GP: August 26-28
- Dutch GP: September 2-4
- Italian GP: from September 9 to 11
- Singapore GP: September 30 to October 2
- Japanese GP: October 7-9
- United States GP: October 21-23
- Mexican GP: from October 28 to 30
- Sao Paulo GP: from November 11 to 13
- Abu Dhabi GP: November 18-20
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