Ecclestone expecting 19-race season

12 December 2012 21:45

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has revealed there is likely to be just 19 grands prix in 2013 unless a race in Turkey can be organised.

The original schedule for 2013 had included 20 races until organisers of the Grand Prix of America, which was set to be held in the streets of New Jersey, decided they needed more time to prepare the track.

The second GP in the USA will now make its debut in 2014 and while there is a position available for a race in July, Ecclestone has claimed it would not be a problem if there were 19 races next year.

"Right now I think we will have only 19 grands prix next year," Ecclestone told Austria's Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

"That wouldn't be a big problem for Formula 1."

If there is to be a 20th GP next year, Ecclestone has confirmed Turkey is the most likely to host it.

"Right now I'm thinking more about Turkey so we return to Istanbul," Ecclestone said.

The Turkish GP was last held in 2011 after seven consecutive seasons on the F1 calendar.