2014 calendar: Ecclestone wants to stay at 20 races

It is a heated debate that Bernie Ecclestone is avoiding. With the announcement of the return of F1 to Austria next year and the planned arrival of two new Grands Prix, in the United States near New York and in Sochi in Russia, next year?s calendar could have included a total of 22 races. A never-before-seen fact, which would have posed problems for the teams, in human, financial and logistical terms. “We will run 20 races, no more,” assured the big financier in this regard. Formula 1, interrogates by the Kleine Zeintung, an Austrian newspaper. A statement that appears to be a step backwards on the part of Bernie Ecclestone, since?he had already shown himself in favor of a season with 22 races last March.

Furthermore, this clear-cut declaration implies the disappearance next year of two events currently in place this season. The names of the South Korean and Indian Grand Prix are often mentioned, with both events experiencing financial difficulties. The Chinese Grand Prix, which has never generated the expected enthusiasm since its first edition in 2004, could also be in the hot seat.

Finally, the Kleine Zeitung tells us that the Austrian Grand Prix has a 7-year contract with Formula 1, which will extend the event at least until 2020.