F1 set for 20 race season

Formula One will have 20 races next season with the addition of the Indian Grand Prix to the calendar, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said today.

Ecclestone had earlier suggested that some races in Europe would lose their places on the schedule to make way for new races.

"We are not dropping anything," he told reporters, adding with a smile: "Get ready for 25."

Although good news for Europe, the unprecedented number of stops - the 19 races this year equals the record - might not be too popular among some teams.

They have already reduced the number of people they take to races as part of the cost-cutting measures and have suggested in the past that more races might mean employing two alternating teams of support staff to reduce the strain on families.

Ecclestone also reiterated that this year's maiden Korean Grand Prix would definitely go ahead despite fears over whether the facility would be ready, and that Formula One would return to China next year.