03/04/2008 17:33

Sakhir, Bahrain - Most Formula One teams on Thursday supported extending the schedule to 20 races next season.

There are 18 Grands Prix this season - up one from last year - and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone wants more racing and less winter testing.

"I think 20 races is a big number but a sensible number," Red Bull chief principal Christian Horner said. "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 said 20 races would help the sport grow commercially.

"The balance of traditional circuits in Europe and circuits in new continents is vital," Fry said. "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."

The United States GP was removed from the calendar in 2008. Valencia will host the European GP street race in August and Singapore hosts the first night race in September.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis welcomed expansion - but with caution.

"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," Dennis told delegates at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Bahrain.