• Korean Grand Prix

Brawn says new races are 'important for the sport'

Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn are in favour of new circuits on the calendar © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News:
• Rosberg feeling undervalued at Mercedes
  
• Feature:
• Something's got to give
  
• News:
• Russia secures 2014 grand prix deal
  
• News:
• Schumacher hints at car discrepancy
  

• Race:
• Korean Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Ross Brawn
• |
• Nico Rosberg
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

With the announcement that a Russian Grand Prix will join the Formula One calendar in 2014 coming a week before the inaugural Korean Grand Prix, Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn is of the opinion that global expansion in F1 can only be a good thing.

"It is important for the future of our sport that we continue to expand our global fan base therefore we are very pleased that the venue is ready in time after some uncertainty," said Brawn. "We have been preparing for the new Korean circuit back at the factory with work on our simulator so we have a good idea of what to expect but as always with a new track, it will be an interesting challenge."

Michael Schumacher, who has more experience of driving on new circuits than any other driver on the grid, echoed Brawn's sentiments on the importance of having new venues on the calendar.

"I am very much in favour of new races and I think it is a benefit for all of us in the sport," said Schumacher. "It should not be too complicated to learn the layout and we are used to adapting quickly to new circumstances. We had quite a good race in Japan last weekend and are hoping that we can move forward again and put on a good show at the first race in Korea."

With the final layer of asphalt having only recently been laid, Nico Rosberg did offer words of caution.

"I hope that the asphalt holds up as it has only been put down very recently," he added.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.