Heidfeld welcomes calendar expansion

The schedule is set to extend to 19 races next season with the addition of the finale at Abu Dhabi, and could increase further in 2010 with proposed grands prix in India and South Korea. The United States may also return to the calendar in the future.

While many teams and drivers are hesitant about increasing the number of races, Heidfeld says he'd like to see more races and less testing.

"I'm looking forward to having more races, as is planned for the future," said the BMW driver. "I wouldn't mind missing one or two tests, though.

"Actually, the tests have been reduced quite a lot over the last two or three years, but I hope we have more races because there isn't one that I don't like."

Heidfeld also welcomed the addition of the new venues, but would also like to see a return to Indianapolis.

"I'm looking forward to going to India, and the other interesting new places currently being discussed," he added. "It's a pity (that Indianapolis isn't on the calendar) because, for me, the Formula One World Championship should race everywhere in the world.

"But I think there's a good chance that we will go to the States again in the future."