07/06/2011
NEWS STORY
Despite releasing a calendar with 21 races on it, FIA president Jean Todt insists there will be just 20 events next year.
"There are 21 dates, but the championship will be 20 Grands Prix," he told Diario Sport. Asked if there was any chance of the season comprising 21 races he replied: "Absolutely not!"
Asked which event would be dropped, the Frenchman admitted: "We don't know which one, but the championship will be 20 races."
Pitpass understands that, contrary to popular misconception, the Concorde Agreement would allow for 21 races, indeed there is no real limit.
The most likely race to be dropped from the calendar is Turkey, which, while having one of the best circuits, has never proved popular with the fans, certainly in terms of putting bums on seats.
However, it is understood that the powers that be feel there is no longer a need/demand for two races in Spain, the most likely scenario being that Valencia is dropped and all (government) financial efforts focussed on Barcelona.
Clearly tied up with other matters, the FIA has thus far failed to respond to Pitpass query as to why Turkey had an asterisk against it - as did Shanghai when the provisional 2011 calendar was announced - yet there is no such caveat in terms of next year's race in the United States.
With the Austin track not yet built, far less inspected, surely the provisional calendar should have featured some sort of indication that the event is subject to the (unbuilt) circuit passing official inspection.