Theissen: F1 Could Manage 20 Races

Formula One teams could cope with a 20-race calendar if testing was pared back, BMW motorsport head Mario Theissen said at the season-opening Grand Prix in Australia on Saturday.

"From our perspective, a reduction in testing would be very beneficial in terms of cost savings, especially for the small teams," he told reporters. "I could imagine doing two more races if we really significantly cut testing during the season...we are spending a lot of resources hiding the show from the spectator, which doesn't really make sense.

"If we go testing three or four times as much as we go to races it is not the right approach," said Theissen, who oversees BMW's partnership with title contenders Williams.

Formula One has 18 races this season, more than ever before, with new circuits in Bahrain and China making their debuts. The sport's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Friday that he wanted further expansion.

Turkey is expected to be a part of the championship soon while India is also lobbying for a race. A second Grand Prix in the United States and a first in Russia are also possible additions.

Austria was bumped off the calendar this year and the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in Italy is under threat as the sport seeks to limit the effect of European Union anti-tobacco advertising legislation.

"The way to go is 20 races, no Friday testing, testing on Saturday," Ecclestone said. "The teams might as well get paid for running their cars rather than spending money running around in circles when no-one is watching."

Team boss Frank Williams kept an open mind on the matter: "Speaking on our side, it is a lot more work for people who are almost exhausted by October," he said. "I think most people with the exception possibly of one team are pretty much (ready) to reduce testing.

"Twenty races? at the end of the day it gets down to if it is affordable and what the recompenses are and where they are, Europe or out."