PARIS, July 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone said Friday that the championship will not have 20 races next year despite the sport's governing body FIA (International Automobile Federation) publishing an F1 calendar with that number of dates listed on it.

    "I blocked off 20 dates but we can change some around," Ecclestone told BBC radio at the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.

    "Eighteen, 19, 17...who knows," said the Briton when asked how many races there would be next season. "Not 20, I can assure you."

    This year's championship has 19 races, which is already the biggest in the 55-year history of F1 and several team bosses have said that is too many.

    The calendar is drawn up by Ecclestone but has to be approved by the FIA.

    Mexico has been expected to appear on the calendar next year with a new circuit yet to be built in the Caribbean resort of Cancun. Enditem