Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 11:37 PM
Formula One drivers welcomed next season's record 20-race calendar on Thursday while recognising it was also likely to put even more of a burden on tired mechanics.
The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Wednesday that next year's championship would start in Bahrain on March 13 and run through to Brazil on Nov. 27.
That will be the latest end to a season since 1963, when there were just 10 races and the championship started at the end of May.
"For the mechanics it's a lot longer and we don't have test teams as such any more so these guys are working very long hours and they are very busy throughout the season," McLaren's world champion Jenson Button told Reuters at the Italian Grand Prix.
"So yes, it is tough on the whole team. But I'm guessing it helps with the sponsors because Formula One will be watched in more countries and especially in India and Korea.
"I'm sure it's good for the sport and good for the sponsors to be racing in more countries, different cultures."
India will make its debut, providing the circuit passes an official inspection, in October next year while the current 19 rounds are all retained.
BETTER STRUCTURED
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who clocked up his 300th race in Belgium last month, said next year's calendar was far better structured than the 2010 version which ends with Brazil and Abu Dhabi on successive weekends.
The 2011 version has Japan and South Korea back to back in October with two-week gaps between the final three in India, Abu Dhabi and Brazil.
The events also flow better together in the second half of the year, with a geographical progression from Singapore through the Far East and back via India and the Middle East to South America.
"It's much better to go and have two weekends racing in Asia than to fly to Brazil and then go back to Abu Dhabi," said Barrichello.
"I've always said I wished to have 30 races and no testing, because it would be more cost effective and we would have more pleasure," added the 38-year-old Williams driver.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso saw a benefit for those drivers who were paid bonuses for every point scored, as Button was last year with champions Brawn GP.
Australian Mark Webber, second in the current standings for Red Bull, was also pleased to have yet another race in Asia with nine of next year's rounds now in the Far or Middle East.
"I think I'll have to get a house in Australia because there's a lot of races in that part of the world," the British-based driver told reporters.
Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, whose comeback with Mercedes after three years out has been less than stellar as he comes to terms with very different tyres and equipment, said the expansion was positive.
"It's more fun to have more races than more tests," the former Ferrari driver said. "Nevertheless some tests would be appreciated as well."
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