F1: Hamilton on 2027 Grand Prix Cuts: “We Want to See Athletes at the Limit of Performance”

September 24, 2026

Lewis Hamilton spoke about the physical demands of being a Formula 1 driver and stated that the requirements should be pushed even higher rather than eased.

For the 2027 season, the series will reduce race distances from 305 to 290 kilometers, trimming off two or three laps depending on the circuit and the event.

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It turns out that the Ferrari seven-time champion opposed the idea and said that “it doesn’t make much sense,” noting that the races were not that physically demanding on the competitors.

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26.

Delving even deeper into the matter, he noted that “this is considered the most physically and mentally demanding sport; there are some [races] where the heat is extreme and, in the end, you reach the limit. Singapore, for example, is incredibly hot and draining. Malaysia is going to be wild this year,” he said.

“But that is precisely where, in my opinion, we want to see athletes pushed to the limit of their performance, taking their bodies beyond, raising the levels and breaking barriers. Shortening the races doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Jake Thompson

Jake Thompson

I'm Jake Thompson, a motorsport journalist born and raised in North Carolina, where NASCAR weekends were basically family holidays. I’ve been covering everything from Formula 1 to rally raids for over a decade, blending sharp analysis with a fan’s heart. For me, writing about racing isn’t just a job — it’s the best seat in the house.