Ecclestone want 22 races per year

  • Published on 23 Oct 2015 09:53
  • comments 0
  • By: Kees Schooneman

Bernie Ecclestone sounds unfazed that the FIA regulations for 2016 set a cap of just 20 races for the season.

Earlier, with Azerbaijan to make its bow next year and Germany returning, a 21-race schedule for 2016 was revealed.

But article 5.4 of the newly-published sporting regulations say "the maximum number of events in the championship is 20".

Asked if he will have to reduce the calendar, F1 chief executive Ecclestone told the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta: "No, I don't think we are going to reduce it. Maybe we're going to add to it."

A calendar counting more than 20 races is not only contrary to the written rules, but also unpopular up and down pitlane, particularly among the members of the travelling fraternity with families and children.

But when asked what he considers to be the ideal number of races for F1, Ecclestone said: "I wouldn't mind if we had as many races as possible. I think maybe there should be 22."

A bigger concern for Ecclestone is the Red Bull engine crisis that could cost his grid a total of 4 cars ahead of 2016.

Amid reports that the energy drink company will patch up its broken relationship with Renault, he commented: "I think we can resolve this issue.

"But we have agreed not to talk about it at the moment."

Earlier, however, F1 veteran Jenson Button suggested the sport is actually in a healthy moment with regards to engine supply, with four separate manufacturers all now involved.

But Ecclestone insists: "This (situation) is not good. But we cannot force manufacturers to come to formula one.

"What we need is an independent engine manufacturer. That's what we are looking for."
 

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 37
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 41
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (44)
  • Place of b. Frome, Somerset, GB
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar