Liberty Media planning more than 21 races a season

It was announced just over a week ago that 2017 would feature a 21 race calendar. While Malaysia would be departing, Germany and France would be making a return to equal Formula 1's record for most races in a season.

However, Liberty Media has plans to expand the calendar even further, and produce even more races to feature in a season. Sean Bratches, who is the commercial managing director of Formula 1, says that they want to make it work for the teams.

"We want to work in partnership with our teams in terms of determining where we go, but our view is that we’d like to go above 21 (races)," Bratches told Reuters. "And we want to be a little bit more proactive and go on the offensive in terms of the markets where we go."

He added: "As we start identifying an optimal calendar in optimal regions, we can go down and sit with cities and make our case as opposed to what has been a little bit more reactive to bids coming in."

"What we do has to take all that into consideration and we have to work closely with our partners on the team front to find out what the high water mark is and what makes sense for everyone. We are very interested in doing what’s best for fans.

"Next year… there is a weekend where the Wimbledon final and World Cup final take place on the same day. It would be sub-optimal to have the British Grand Prix on that day. It’s a tight schedule."

Fergal Walsh