Formula 1 will not cross the 20-race per season limit – Bernie Ecclestone
The CEO of Formula 1 management Bernie Ecclestone vows to keep the Formula 1 calendar to a 20 races per season limit. He believes that a 20-race season is enough and any more than that would ruin the sport.
The current Formula 1 season schedule contains 19 races but the 2011 season is expected to hold 20 races as Formula 1 hopes to introduce the Indian Grand Prix boosting the count to a record-breaking 20 races. However, it is still uncertain whether the India
Grand Prix will take place next year or not. In 2012, Formula 1 is expected to bring back the US Grand Prix and there are many rumours regarding a Rome street race joining the calendar as well. Keeping every aspect in mind, Bernie made it clear that the new
races will simple replace the existing ones.
“We really should be at 16, to be honest. 20 is plenty, that's the limit. No more. I have been able to squeeze in 20 but I would not want to increase it. There'll be mayhem otherwise”, Ecclestone told the
Times of India.
The F1 paddock agrees with Bernie and they believe that more than 20 races wouldn't be feasible because of the physical and financial pressure it will put on both the teams and personnel.
Ross Brawn is excited about the new races but agrees that it will not be easy for the teams and officials to cope up with every Grand Prix, as it will cause both physical and mental pressure.
“We want to have these extra races because it's good for Formula One, but it's reaching a critical stage in terms of people being able to cope”, warned Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn.
The former world Champion Lewis Hamilton agrees with Bernie and Ross that even a 20-race season will exert an immense amount of pressure.
“A season of 19 races is too demanding from the point of sponsors and endorsements. We have promotional events, training, testing and upgrades. So it does put extra pressure and we need to manage our time more efficiently”, said Lewis.
The 2011 season is expected to begin in Bahrain before moving to the legendary Australian circuit 2 weeks later. The Formula 1 calendar then takes its fans back to Asia where the Malaysian Grand Prix is expected to take place followed by the recently introduced
Chinese circuit before following a race at the Istanbul Park in Turkey for the Turkish grand prix holding the first European race of the season. After 2 weeks time, the teams will battle it out at the Spanish Grand Prix followed by one of the most exciting,
technical tracks in the Formula 1, Monte Carlo a week later. The Formula 1 will take a break from the European races and move to Canada to race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve that was named after Jacques Villeneuve’s legendary father. After 2 weeks, Formula
1 promises to return to Europe for the European grand prix in Valencia, Spain before moving on to the British Grand Prix at the historic Silverstone circuit. The Hungarian Grand Prix will take place in the end of July before the German grand prix expected
to take place at the Hockenheim circuit. The drivers’ favourite, Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps is next on the list followed by the final European race at Monza in Italy.
The teams are expected to return to Asia for the Singapore Grand Prix followed by the Japanese and Korean Grand Prix before the Indian Grand Prix. However, it is still not certain whether the Indian Grand Prix will take place or not as it is still under
consideration. The Formula 1 season moves to its final Asian race at Abu Dhabi before the final race of the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit takes place on the 27th of November to complete the first 20-race Formula 1 season.
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