FIA president Jean Todt says he does not see a need to set a maximum number of races on the F1 calendar providing they are all high-quality events.
The 2020 F1 calendar will feature a record-breaking 22 races following the addition of races in the Netherlands and Vietnam.“For the first year for the first time next year we will have 22 venues,” said Todt. “We were participating with the commercial rights holder and at the end [they are] proposing a calendar, the number of venues, and we we feel that it’s a good number.”
Asked whether he saw a need for an upper limit on the number of races Todt said: “No there is no maximum. For me it’s not a question of maximum for me what does matter is not the quantity of venues but the quality of venues.”
Some drivers have raised concerns over the impact of the growing calendar on teams’ staff.
“Obviously the biggest problem is probably the team, the mechanics,” said Kevin Magnussen last weekend. “All those guys are working very hard already, so it would be pretty tough for a lot of people in the team.”
However Valtteri Bottas said “if it’s just one more next year it’s not too bad.”
“Obviously it is, like Kevin said, hard work for many of the team members doing so much work between the races as well,” he added. “There’s going to be a limit at some point but I don’t know in detail after how many races that would come. I think we can still do one more but we will see. It’s OK so far.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2020 F1 season
- Pictures: Wrecked chassis from Grosjean’s Bahrain fireball crash to go on display
- Bottas vs Rosberg: Hamilton’s Mercedes team mates compared after 78 races each
- F1 revenues fell by $877 million in Covid-struck 2020 season
- Hamilton and Mercedes finally announce new deal for 2021 season
- F1 audience figures “strong” in 2020 despite dip in television viewers
Philups
3rd October 2019, 10:31
“providing they are all high-quality events”
So he’s gonna drop Australia, China, Bahrain, Paul Ricard, Barcelona, Sochi, Monaco and Singapore?
Jere (@jerejj)
3rd October 2019, 11:29
@Philups Bahrain definitely doesn’t belong in that group, though.
philups
3rd October 2019, 12:26
@jerejj
You’re right; should be Abu Dhabi.
JMDan (@danmar)
3rd October 2019, 18:16
Todt won’t do anything. He is firmly of the belief that his job is “talking”, not “doing”.
joe pineapples
3rd October 2019, 15:43
52 it is then.
JMDan (@danmar)
3rd October 2019, 18:14
More importantly, is he ready to put a cap on the crap events?
mfreire
3rd October 2019, 18:42
Well if he’s looking for high quality events, then maybe he should consider dropping Abu Dhabi, Vietnam, Bahrain, China, and Sochi outright and switch Ricard, Barcelona and Melbourne with Clermont-Ferrand, Jarama and Adelaide respectively? Dubai, India (not really possible), Argentina (BsAs), Finland (Kymi), Miami or Long Beach and Port Imperial would be ideal.
mfreire
3rd October 2019, 18:44
Jarama or Portimao
nickthegreek (@nickthegreek)
4th October 2019, 9:49
you haven’t even seen a race in Vietnam. sheesh!
mfreire
4th October 2019, 22:10
Vietnam is not a good location for an F1 race. It’s obscene, honestly. But a MotoGP race there wouldn’t be a bad idea on a country where there are more motorcycles than people.
Ferdinand Johanssen
3rd October 2019, 22:20
The Formula One (F1) at Port Imperial with dramatic and iconic New York City Skyline in the backdrop, would be unique. Amazing for gaming (and video games) as well!
EXHIBIT: See details below …
https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/vettel-brings-f1-to-downtown-new-jersey
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
4th October 2019, 0:04
Pretty much confirms how out of touch he is.
Mayton
4th October 2019, 6:11
Isn’t his son manager of Leclerc? He’s from the Bernie old boys network. He’ll do whatever he wants
Chaitanya
4th October 2019, 8:50
In words of Max Verstappen: Ever bloating F1 calender is going to cause divorce. This is getting beyond ridiculous.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
4th October 2019, 12:44
I am looking forwards already to the interviews with wild eyed unshaven drivers who haven’t had a full nights sleep in the last six months.
Let’s make these damned overpaid egotistical drivers actually work for a living!
52 race weekends a year to start with is fine.
Then let’s look at why Liberty isn’t making profit on a Wednesday night!