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Mosley Opposes 20-Race F1 Calendar

Former FIA (International Automobile Federation) president Max Mosley thinks a 20-race calendar for Formula One is too much. Although this season only comprised some 19 races, the 2011 official calendar of the series includes the brand new Indian Grand Prix, accounting for the 20th race of the year.

And it certainly doesn’t stop there, as Bernie Ecclestone’s dream of having 22 races in F1 is about to become reality. In recent months, the F1 supremo secured long-term contracts for the US Grand Prix (Austin, Texas) and Russian Grand Prix (Sochi), turning the F1 schedule into a 22-race game starting 2013 or 2014.

“For me personally, it's too much,” Mosley told the German newspaper Welt, according to the GMM news agency. “In my opinion, that's too many Sunday afternoons to expect people to dedicate to Formula One. At some point, it starts to become tiresome.”

And then if you start skipping a race here and there it can quickly become a habit and it can snowball in terms of the TV ratings,” he added.

Additionally, the former FIA boss once again emphasized the importance of cutting down on the F1 teams’ budgets for the future, as the current level of spending in the Great Circus is yet not satisfactory.

In January 2008 I warned that without cost reduction it won't be only the small teams having problems. It has arrived: Honda, BMW, Toyota and Renault have gone because the budgets are out of proportion. This continues to be true and it worries me.”

There is the risk of a crisis in the short term. Currently, a great season is being celebrated but the future looks bleak. For 2011 you need $100 million, with 30 or 40 from Bernie Ecclestone, perhaps 20 to 25 from sponsors or the drivers. I'd say six teams are wondering where the rest is coming from. It's quite possible we'll lose two or three teams,” warned the 70-year old Brit.
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