Dennis calls for 20-race cap

In his speech to delegates at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Bahrain, Dennis said he applauded F1's drive into new markets, listing Russia, India, South Korea, Abu Dhabi, Qatar as new venues, but added that it was essential the grand prix racing stayed within its 'natural logistical limit'.

"I welcome this expansion, and heartily commend Bernie Ecclestone for spearheading it," he said.

"But I have two provisos: Firstly, that the season never expands to more than 20 grands prix, which I regard as a natural logistical limit and, secondly, that we preserve a closed season over the winter.

"The closed season is essential not only for logistical reasons but also in order to stir up a sense of anticipation in the hearts and minds of F1 fans."

Dennis explained that F1's traditional winter break played a hugely important role in the build-up to a new season and that the hype generated by it was crucial to the sport's global exposure.

"The best-selling editions of Formula One magazines are always the season preview editions, for example, not the editions that are published during the season.

"And that's because a sense of anticipation has been stirred up in the hearts and minds of Formula One fans over the preceding winter. So, as I say, we must preserve that."