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Alonso calls for fewer races and more tests

ESPN Staff
January 20, 2013 « I'm not team leader - Hulkenberg | Alonso wins ice karting double »
Fernando Alonso says 20 races is too many, but would like more tests © Sutton Images
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Fernando Alonso has echoed Luca di Montezemolo's calls for more testing and says he would like fewer races.

Di Montezemolo has consistently requested a return to in-season testing since the testing ban was implemented in 2009, with Ferrari owning its own test track at Fiorano. Alonso said that the extended nature of the Formula One calendar - with 20 races in 2012 - was too long for the drivers but that he would welcome some grands prix being replaced by an opportunity to test more.

"Last year we had the last Grand Prix at the end of November and almost right up to Christmas, there were events I had to take part in," Alonso said. "There's almost only the end of year holiday when one can have a break and I'll try to fit in a few more days between now and Melbourne to recharge my batteries.

"Twenty races is a lot and it's not easy to maintain a maximum performance level, both physical and mental, for the whole year. Maybe it would be better to have one or two fewer races and a few more test sessions."

There will only be three official test sessions in 2013 - all coming before the first race in Australia - after last year's mid-season test at Mugello was dropped.

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