Skip to content

Bernie: F1 will expand

Image: Ecclestone: Against testing

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes it's only a matter of time before the Formula One calendar is extended to 20 grands prix.

Ecclestone admits a longer calendar looks inevitable

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes it's only a matter of time before the Formula One calendar is extended to 20 grands prix. While this year's Championship comprised just 17 races, next year there could be as many as 19 with Canada seeking a return and South Korea gearing up for its debut. But with more countries wanting a place on the calendar, Ecclestone believes the schedule could be extended to include 20 race weekends in the near future. "I always said that it is possible and obviously now there are more and more people falling for that idea," he told the official F1 website. "Nobody needs testing. It was always, in my opinion, that testing costs money while racing brings money. Or let them test on Monday after the race when everybody is at the track, the hotels are paid for and that huge logistical effort is eliminated."