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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says that the current Formula 1 calendar is at "saturation point". F1's owners Liberty Media have often spoken about extending the number of races that occur in a season to somewhere in the region of 23 to 25.
However this suggestion has been met by disapproval by certain team personnel. In 2018, F1 had its first ever 'triple header' which saw the French, Austrian and British Grands Prix run across three consecutive weekends.
While it may have been a non-stop delight for fans, the workload was strenuous for teams. Mercedes' Toto Wolff and Renault's Cyril Abiteboul recently suggested that the F1 calendar should consist of no more than 15 to 16 races.
When asked what he thought about that number, Horner said: "21 races, I think, is about saturation point. I think that there's only so many chapters you can have in a book and I think at some point you go beyond what's relevant," he continued.
"I think to go as low as 15 or 16 is too low - maybe Cyril was looking at grid penalties or something but I think that 21 is the upper end. It's tough. It's tough for the guys in the garage, for the travelling staff, it's tough for everybody involved and I think for the spectator and fans as well, beyond 24 races it reaches saturation, so I think it's finding that balance.
"I think the really encouraging thing is that there are some great venues that want to host Formula 1 races and events and I think that that should provide natural competition for the venues that are already on the calendar."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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16 races are too few Abiteboullshit. I didnt know you too had descent from Småland, because 16 sounds really stingy. Mind, I have started to agree with the folks that think we are very close to the limit where we have too many races. The current number for next year is fine, more than that might risk oversaturating it, and lessen the "special" feel of F1. 'sides, I dont think its worth overstraining team budgets and staff for us to have content that we wont appreciate as much.