02/07/2005
NEWS STORY
When the FIA published a list of 20 dates that had been reserved for the 2006 Formula One World Championship season, some people assumed that this meant that there would be 20 races, not so says Bernie Ecclestone.
Talking to BBC Radio, the F1 supremo said: "I blocked off 20 dates but we can change some around.
When asked how many races the 2006 season might comprise, he replied: "Eighteen, 19, 17.. who knows? But not 20, I can assure you."
With Turkey joining the roster, just one year after China and Bahrain came on board, it was widely assumed that Mexico might make number 20 next year. However, the event, planned for the holiday resort of Cancun, has run into a number of problems.
"I don't know about Mexico," said Ecclestone, "I haven't been there for a long time."
There is widespread concern within the paddock that this year's schedule of 19 - the biggest in the sport's history - is too much, and is affecting the health and private lives of many involved.
Then again, Pitpass has always believed in the quality of F1 races, rather than quantity.