Sebastian Vettel says a 2020 F1 season reduced to half the number of scheduled races would still constitute a worthy championship.
As Formula 1 attempts to rebuild a basic calendar in the aftermath of the cancellation and postponement of the first nine races of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prospect of a dumbed-down campaign has emerged.
F1 boss Chase Carey recently expressed his hope of the sport being able to compile a calendar of 15 to 18 races, but that prospect now appears remote considering the uncertainty surrounding the evolution of the coronavirus crisis.
From a driver's perspective, Vettel doesn't see a drastically reduced schedule as lessening the challenge of fighting for the world title.
"I don't know how it would feel because we never had that sort of circumstance," the Ferrari driver told the media last week.
"Before, we had less races in the past and more races today, but I don't think it makes a big difference.
"Obviously, a season is a season, whether it's 10, 15 or 20, 25 races. So you still have to be the one that is most consistent.
"With less races, every race is more important, but the championship would still be the championship.
"So it's still a long way, and you know, each single race weekend is a long way. And races mean there will still be a lot of things to get right."
Considering the lack of clarity, Vettel says that F1 has no there choice but to be patient.
"I think at this stage, nobody really knows what to expect from this year, from this season," added the German.
"Maybe this season is going into part of next year as well. I don't know. So, lots of ideas, lots of options, but I think we have to have to be patient and wait."
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