F1 team bosses back expansion to 20 races

Formula One could expand to 20 grands prix in future but that should be the upper limit, team bosses said at a motor sport business forum in Bahrain on Wednesday.

The current season has 18 races, after 17 last year and a record 19 in 2005.

"I think 20 races is a big number but a sensible number," organisers quoted Red Bull team principal Christian Horner as saying in a review of the day's activities ahead of Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

"It's a huge logistical challenge but the way the teams are working with each other to self-regulate testing it is possible."

Honda chief executive Nick Fry agreed: "I think 20 grands prix is about right," he said.

"The balance of traditional circuits in Europe and circuits in new continents is vital. Formula One needs to go where the commercial market is and that market is moving from Europe and North America to the Middle East and Asia."

Formula One has two new venues this year, with a European Grand Prix in Valencia and the first night-time race in Singapore, but the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis has gone.

Bahrain, which hosts the third round of the season, is currently the only Middle Eastern race but Abu Dhabi is pencilled in for next year while India and South Korea are scheduled for 2010.

A third Middle Eastern race could also be on the cards, with Dubai and Qatar interested and already having lavish facilities in place.

"We should have 20 races but not more. The future is definitely the Middle East region," said Force India's Colin Kolles. "There is a lot of investment coming out of this region and that is what is needed in Formula One."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis added that any expansion should not come at the expense of the European winter break.

"I welcome this expansion, and heartily commend (commercial supremo) Bernie Ecclestone for spearheading it," he told delegates.

"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."

(Source: Reuters)