Cyril Abiteboul said that "between 15 and 18" races would help the series remain "special."GETTY IMAGES
Renault Sport Formula 1 Managing Dir Cyril Abiteboul believes grand prix racing would benefit from an "aggressive" cull of races that reduces the calendar to "as few as 15 races," according to Mitchell & Anderson of MOTORSPORT. F1's calendar matched its all-time high of 21 grands prix this season, including an "unpopular" maiden tripleheader. Abiteboul said, "We need to be able to engage with fans but it has to remain something special. We are already way above what should be the figure for something special. We need to convey a message of pride, of motivation, of energy. With the calendar that we have now, the enthusiasm is not the same as when we were only traveling 15 times per year." He added that "between 15 and 18" races would "massively increase the value" (MOTORSPORT, 7/16).
WELCOME CHANGE: PLANET F1 reported McLaren F1 CEO Zak Brown is "feeling good about McLaren's chances of being able to compete with the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes" in the future if a cost cap is introduced. The team began an overhaul of its management recently, with Racing Dir Eric Boullier leaving and being replaced by Gil de Ferran. The '21 regulations bring about a planned cost cap of $150M a year. This "should allow independent teams to fight closer with the major manufacturers," which have "deeper pockets." Brown said, "We would welcome the cost cap. We had a very productive meeting with Formula 1. I do think the current direction of travel of Formula 1, if not changed, is a very difficult environment for independent racing teams" (PLANET F1, 7/16).
