Dennis calls changes in F1 calendar

This year's championship featured an unprecedented 19 rounds, with the same number scheduled for 2006 after talk of stretching to 20.

Despite his team being part-owned by DaimlerChrysler and powered by Mercedes engines, Dennis said neither Germany nor Italy should have two Grands Prix a year as they do at present.

"There is an argument that says we should be appealing more to those markets that fully embrace motor racing. There is a very strong German market for motor racing so that should justify two German grands prix," he said.

"For me, I think they should be alternated between the Nurburgring and Hockenheim and we should be trying hard to keep the numbers to 16 or 17 (races).

"Just like individuals burn out, I think the public needs to have a break and then you rebuild the expectation of a new world championship.

"We have football saturation at the moment and we should avoid putting ourselves in the same situation in Formula One."

The Formula One season starts on March 12 in Bahrain next year and continues until the finale in Brazil on October 22, a week later than this year.

There are no new races after Turkey's debut in 2005, and Bahrain and China in 2004, with the 2006 calendar arranged to limit clashes between European races and the soccer World Cup finals in Germany from June 9 to July 9.

Dennis said there should be three clear months with no races, with the calendar reflecting the global nature of the championship.

"If you ask me, do I want to race in Italy twice or once in Italy and once in Russia, to me it's a no-brainer," he said.

"We are in a world championship, we shouldn't be rejecting Russia over having two races in Italy."

Italy hosts races at Monza, the fastest and oldest circuit on the calendar, and at Imola.