Daniel Ricciardo says 10-race F1 season would be “legit” 

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo believes a season consisting of 10 or more races would be enough to see a legitimate Formula 1 world champion crowned. 

F1 has so far confirmed the opening eight rounds of the revised 2020 season after the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the original first half of the campaign to be wiped out. 

Daniel Ricciardo says 10-race F1 season would be “legit” 

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo believes a season consisting of 10 or more races would be enough to see a legitimate Formula 1 world champion crowned. 

F1 has so far confirmed the opening eight rounds of the revised 2020 season after the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the original first half of the campaign to be wiped out. 

Championship officials are striving to finalise a 15-18 round campaign, with additional venues not on the initial calendar including Mugello, Imola and Portimao understood to be in contention to stage a grand prix this year. 

The potential for a shortened F1 season has led to some claims that the eventual world champion’s achievements could be devalued, but Ricciardo feels 10 races would be sufficient to determine a worthy title-winner. 

"Right now, I'd say it is legit," Ricciardo said speaking on the Australian Grand Prix Corporation’s new In the Fast Lane podcast

"If we only did four or five races, yeah maybe [not] so. But if we get anything from kind of 10 and above, there's enough races there to figure out who the champion is, in my mind. 

"Obviously the atmosphere is going to be different around the paddock without fans, at least for the first part of the season, but the reality is we're all racing. The same drivers, the same cars. 

"For me the competition isn't going to change.”

When F1 does resume next weekend with the Austrian Grand Prix, strict hygiene protocols will be implemented to ensure grand prix events can go ahead safely. 

Ricciardo had the opportunity to familiarise himself with the unique procedures last week as Renault conducted a private two-day test at the Red Bull Ring and says he is not looking forward to certain aspects. 

"One thing I am sure of, because I've already experienced it, is the whole COVID testing with the nose swab... that is not fun," the Australian explained. 

"And we have to get that probably another 30 times this year. I didn't enjoy that at all. That's something I know is going to happen, and certainly not something I'm looking forward to."

Read More