Brown warns Formula 1 may need to accept a shorter calendar than was hoped

McLaren CEO Zak Brown feels it may be difficult for Formula 1 to hit its target of 15-18 race in 2020.

Formula 1 returns with a run of eight races in ten weeks, the first of which takes place in Austria on July 5.

However, while excited by the return of grand prix racing, Brown is unsure as to how many races will make up the completed calendar.

“I think the caution is we’re going racing, but I don’t think there’s a guarantee that we’re going to get in as many races as we hope," Brown told the F1 Nation Podcast.

“I think we will, but I don’t think that just because we’re going to race one that life’s back to normal, so I think we have to be very careful, very diligent, follow the rules, be very conservative.

“Obviously we’re all excited to go back racing. I think sport is a great healer around the world, and TV ratings and the following will be very strong – you can only watch so many replays of sport!"

While Brown may have his doubts, hitting the target of 15-races in 2020 appears achievable.

GPFans revealed last week that Mugello is close to being confirmed as the ninth race of the season, while Russia, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi are all keen to host double-header events. Should these races all go ahead, the minimum target, a number that would satisfy the various broadcast agreements, would be hit.

Races on both the North and South American continents remain uncertain, while only the Chinese Grand Prix remains in contention to take place in 2020 of the Asian races.

Formula 1 has previously made clear its ambition to release a full calendar for the season ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.

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