Mercedes junior and current Formula 2 driver George Russell believes the current F1 grid is two teams short of what it should be.
The Briton, who currently leads the standings in the feeder series, is hoping to make the step up in 2019 with a possible seat at Williams not ruled out.
However, with so many good drivers, including Esteban Ocon, Pascal Wehrlein, Stoffel Vandoorne and others struggling to find a space, the Briton does think F1 needs to expand.
“We only have 20 cars on the grid, as a young driver trying to break into that 20 is extremely difficult,” he told Motorsport.com
His boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, has touted the idea of three-car teams, potentially allowing the likes of the German manufacturer, Ferrari and others the chance to give young drivers a chance at the front of the grid.
“I think the idea of a third car, or something along those lines, is a very good idea,” said the 20-year-old.
“You sometimes see the pay drivers getting into Formula 1, and potentially they could come in for their home race: an Asian driver comes in for the Asian races, the American drivers come in for the American races and so on.
“It gives the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull the chance to throw their young drivers in without any major issues.”
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The main argument against it, however, is the cost but Russell thinks the extra investment would be worth it.
“F1 is an extremely expensive sport because of the development, not because of the actual cost of building the front wings or whatever,” he said. “The money is spent in the windtunnels, on the designers’ salaries, the time and effort to design the cars.
“To make three wings instead of two is not going to be a huge additional cost. [Or] a third chassis compared to two. Obviously it’s an increased cost, but it’s not much for the spectacle it could give F1.”