Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Wolff concerned for Mercedes over 21-race calendar

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Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff believes Formula 1's current 2016 calendar will put a strain on the German team, forcing it to eventually change its structure to cope with the extended workload.

Next year's schedule includes two additional races from this season's 19-race programme, although the US Grand Prix at Austin has been granted provisional status pending a solution to its financial affairs.

Speaking at this weekend's Mercedes Stars and Cars event in Stuttgart, Wolff voiced his concerns on the matter.

"It's definitely a lot for the travelling team," said the Mercedes boss. "Nineteen races already was a lot this year and next year back-to-back races are quite difficult."

Six back-to -back weekends are effectively registered on the 2016 calendar, with Baku in Eastern Europe following Montreal in North America as the most impressive flight path the teams will be forced to endure over the course of a few days.

"We need to have a look at the organisation - everyone is getting pretty tired at the end of the season - and I am not sure we can actually cope with 21 races in the current structure," Wolff concluded.

"We have to be looking at maybe having second shifts, rest times after the race weekends. It's quite a complex thing to do for next year."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.