Bernie Ecclestone insists 2014 calendar to have 20 races

The Austrian Grand Prix was last held in 2003

Bernie Ecclestone has played down suggestions the F1 calendar could blow out to an unprecedented 22 races in 2014.

The reports, including in the Italian magazine Autosprint, followed this week’s surprise news that Austria will stage a grand prix next year, after a ten-year absence.

There are 19 races on the 2013 schedule, with Russia and New Jersey also scheduled to join next year.

It is a situation that is of concern to Formula 1 team bosses, with talks set to take place at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.

That discussion, however, may no longer be necessary, in the wake of F1 chief executive Ecclestone’s comments on Wednesday.

He told Austria’s Kleine Zeitung newspaper: “We will have 20 races (next year), Austria included.

“Everything else I don’t know — please ask me again after the summer.”

Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda said he suspects New Jersey will not take place in 2014.

“It didn’t happen this year, because of a lack of money,” he told the ORF broadcaster.

“As far as I know, it’s already gone from the calendar,” added Lauda.

Organisers of the Russian Grand Prix also hinted that they have been given a date in mid to late October for their inaugural race next season.