F1 CONFIDENTIAL: Revealed - the wonder drug that so many in the paddock can't go without The 2024 campaign is the longest in the history of Formula One with 24 races Join Mail+ for more exclusive scoops, in-depth reporting and analysis from inside the world of Formula One By JONATHAN MCEVOY Published: 21:00 EST, 28 November 2024 | Updated: 21:18 EST, 28 November 2024 e-mail 9 shares View comments There were a lot of tired faces at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. And they are back here in Qatar a week on. These are races 22 and 23 of the 24-race calendar – the longest season Formula One has staged.
In 1950 when the world championship began, there were seven rounds. All were in Europe but for one, in America, on the great Indianapolis track. Travel was exotic then.
It is ubiquitous now. The world is smaller. But the rampage to more and more races has accelerated since 2017 under the ownership of Liberty Media, and the toll is such that hundreds of the 2,000-travelling corps are relying on sleeping pills to keep themselves sane.
Melatonin is the drug of choice. It is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. At night melatonin levels rise before falling during the day, controlling sleep patterns.
Drivers, engineers, mechanics and media are among those taking a synthetic form of melatonin, which requires a prescription in Britain, to help them combat jet lag. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Lando Norris both referenced their use of the pills while in Las Vegas. Mercedes h.