Theissen looks for efficiency as F1 calendar expands

18 Grand Prix events will take place during the 2008 Formula One season, one more than this year. BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen, has mixed feelings regarding a further expansion of the race calendar.

Singapore is a new Grand Prix venue, which will enter the Formula One stage for the first time in the forthcoming season. Due to the inclusion of the Asian country to the pinnacle of motorsports, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld will participate in 18 races in 2008 and, therefore, enter one more Grand Prix than in the past F1 season.

At the same time, a further expansion of the race calendar in future is already being discussed. Mario Theissen comments: "20 races is a lot and will place a heavy burden on the whole team, especially those who travel to the races and tests. However, this is something we can live with."

After all, conducting more races also has a beneficial effect for the team, says Theissen: "At the end of the day, we put a huge amount of resources into racing in Formula One. And if we do end up with another two races on the programme, it will mean that these resources are actually being used more efficiently. Having said that, we do need to think about how we organise such a packed season and, from a logistics point of view, how the travelling schedule can be structured as efficiently as possible."