2017 F1 calendar to have 21 races again (Update)

Ross Brawn

UPDATE Managing Director of Motorsports Ross Brawn is open to the idea of having more races on the Formula 1 calendar, saying there is no reason why there should be no more than 21 races in a year.

However, Brawn explained that they won’t just extend the calendar for the sheer purpose of having more races but that the suggested additions need to add value to the sport.

The former Ferrari engineer also added that in NASCAR, the teams have two separate crews to ease up on the workload, something Formula 1 franchises could implement should it get too hectic.

"We've got to make sure we don't just have races because we can increase the number, the races have to be of good quality, in good places and in exciting places," he told ESPN.

"We also need to think about the frequency of races because the nice balance of a race every other weekend is perfect.

"But teams can organize themselves to do more than the current number.

"There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't have more races, but you can't have more races with the same structure that teams have now, because it would just break it.

"20 or 21 [races] is pretty tough on the crews and tough on the engineers, tough on everyone who travels. But if you then set yourself up with two sets of crews and two sets of engineers and all the rest of it, which I believe is what NASCAR does, then you can do it.

"If we can have more races and find a way with the teams of giving them the capacity to do it properly then it's certainly not a strain on the drivers, because they don't do any testing anymore.

"There are other people within the organisation for whom it is not a strain, but it would be a strain on the crews and engineers and so on. But it's addressable and it can be done. Fundamentally we need to decide if we want that number of races and if it makes sense for the sport and makes sense for the show."

08/31/16 (GMM) F1 looks set to embark on a second consecutive 21-race voyage around the world in 2017.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims next year's schedule will match the current, record-setting number of races, with the first of 21 grands prix taking place on March 26 in Melbourne.

The report said that while rumors of races in Las Vegas, South Africa, France, Imola and others are flying about, there will be in fact be no new events in 2017.

"The first one will be 26 March," one team boss confirmed. "And a week later we'll be in Shanghai."

Other than that, the calendar will look very similar to this year's, with even Hockenheim expected to host a consecutive race and therefore safeguard the future of the German GP for now.

It has been claimed Ecclestone is even stepping in as a semi-promoter of the German round, as other hosts also struggle to pay race fees in excess of $20 million.

Monza, Russia, Brazil, Silverstone, Montreal and even the highly-popular night race in Singapore are said to also be struggling with their current fees.

Auto Motor und Sport said the FIA's World Motor Sport Council is expected to publish the draft 2017 calendar after its next meeting in Paris late next month.

The dates for pre-season testing are reportedly not yet set.