Twenty is plenty for Sebastian Vettel

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel believes 20 races on the Formula 1 calendar is enough, and that the logistics within the paddock as well as the many different nations which have a race would make it impractical to have more than 20 races. With races in Russia and America planned in 2013/4, well known venues may have to be ditched to make way for these newer races.

During the inaugural Formula 1 season back in 1950, only 7 races were on the calendar. Of these 7, Britain, Monaco, Belgium and Italy continue to host races in 2012 and are unquestionably highly regarded for their history and heritage. However, over decades these races have come under threat from newer nations such as Malaysia, Abu Dhabi and Singapore.

With many eager to keep the ‘heritage’ venues afloat on the F1 calendar, such as the four previously mentioned along with the likes of Japan, Canada, Australia and Germany, it seems unlikely that the calendar will remain at 20 races. With members of the F1 circus only getting roughly six to eight weeks of peace throughout the winter months, more races could see the season beginning in February and even ending in December.

When asked whether 20 races is the limit for Formula 1 in a season, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel agreed that twenty is plenty: “Well, I think 20 is good number but it’s a big number as well. Not just for us, the drivers, [but] I think for the whole paddock to move around. It’s not that easy. I think you need to be aware of that. We have races spread out around the globe. So I think we just get away with 20 races.”

One solution to the ever-growing Formula 1 calendar is to have some races alternate with each other, such as Barcelona (hosts of the Spanish Grand Prix) and Valencia (hosts of the European Grand Prix). This option has previously worked with the German Grand Prix, whereby Hockenheim and the Nürburgring have alternated as hosts since 2007. The same solution was set to be put into place for the French and Belgian Grands Prix, however with France looking increasingly unlikely to be hosting a Grand Prix in the foreseeable future, it looks like Spa may well have to find another nation to alternate with to remain safely on the calendar.

Either way, the debate over the Formula 1 calendar throughout the next couple of seasons is going to be an intriguing spectacle as more and more nations wish to host the fastest sport in the world. With Argentina and Thailand allegedly interested in joining the calendar, keeping the season only 20 races long looks set to be a difficult task to achieve.

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