MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS, Andrey Kartashov/. F1 Chief Executive Chase Carey told TASS on Friday he hoped to see a full of surprises and exciting 2018 Formula One season, which blasts off this weekend with the Grand Prix in Australia’s Melbourne.

Asked by a TASS correspondent about expectations ahead of the new season, Carey said "I probably have more hopes than expectations."

"My hope is always that we have a great competition," he said. "Last year we had some exciting competition between Ferrari and Mercedes then Red Bull came on a little bit…"

"Everything else is surprises," Carey continued speaking about his hopes. "You want things that are surprising, you want great racing. I want an exciting season. I know what I hope for, but I don’t make predictions what it will be."

The 2018 FIA Formula One Championship includes 21 races and begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 23-25. The final Grand Prix of the upcoming season will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 23-25.