Bottas: F1 calendar getting 'to the limit' with 23 races

Valtteri Bottas reckons the F1 calendar is now getting "to the limit", with a record-breaking 23 races planned for the 2022 campaign.

The upcoming season is set to be the busiest in the sport's history, surpassing the 22 Grands Prix held in 2021. Whilst there has been talk of further venues being added in the future, Bottas thinks that it would be difficult to expand the year beyond the current schedule.

"I feel like we're starting to get to the limit," Bottas told the Beyond The Grid podcast.

"That's what I feel. Having more than we're going to have next year, with also quite [a] compressed calendar, I think we can't have that many more. I mean, like how there's time, and how logistically it's going to be possible.

"But I think we're in a good amount now. That's my feeling."

Despite the busy year ahead, Bottas thinks that the events have been spaced out quite well.

"The calendar actually looks okay," the Finn added.

"Initially I thought there [was] going be, like, four triple-headers, but there's actually only two, and still we have an August break.

"Yes, it is hectic, but it is possible. But, the fun thing with Formula 1 [is] that the time just flies, and the adrenaline this sport gives you, it just keeps you going. It keeps you going almost forever."

How the calendar can benefit Bottas at Alfa Romeo

2022 will mark a new chapter in Bottas' F1 career, with the season being his first as an Alfa Romeo driver following his exit from Mercedes after five years.

When asked whether the busy calendar could be beneficial in terms of allowing him to adjust more quickly to his new environment, Bottas explained: "In my situation, and for us as a team, probably, yes.

"But it's also [the] same for everyone. With a new car, you do want the maximum mileage and experience, but I think it's a good opportunity for us."

Bottas will be joined by rookie Guanyu Zhou at Alfa Romeo, meaning the Swiss team will be the only outfit on the grid to field a completely new driver line-up in 2022.