Speaking on the second day of the Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East, Ron Dennis called for the championship to be expanded to 20 races.

During his keynote speech, Dennis said he fully supported Formula One's expansion into new markets such as the Middle East and said that 20 races would be the natural logistical limit for teams.

Other team bosses, who joined Dennis in a panel discussion following the keynote, all agreed and admitted that the Middle East could make up three races on the future calendar.

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner said: "I think 20 races is a big number but a sensible number. It's a huge logistical challenge but the way the teams are working with each other to self-regulate testing it is possible. For us the Middle East region is key to our development plan and it is very important that it has a strong presence on the calendar."

Force India F1 Managing Director Colin Kolles added: "We should have 20 races but not more. The future is definitely the Middle East region. There is a lot of investment coming out of this region and that is what is needed in Formula One."

Dennis further commented on the need to make Formula One more environmental, safety-focussed and less expensive. He hailed the work of the FIA and the FIA Institute in this area and urged all teams to continue to support it.

"The rule changes brought in by the FIA and FIA Institute over the last few years have undoubtedly saved drivers' lives," he said. "It's impressive too that here in Bahrain tomorrow, there will be an FIA Institute Safety Summit featuring the launch of the FIA Institute Medical Faculty.

"We have to make Formula One greener, safer and less expensive and I'm delighted to say that the FIA and the FIA Institute are fully engaged in that process."

Dennis added that the Middle East and Bahrain in particular will have a bright future in the sport. With Mumtalakat Holdings, the investment arm of Bahrain, having acquired a 30 per cent stake in the McLaren Group in 2007, Dennis was full of praise for his dealings with his new shareholders.

"For those of you who may consider investing in this country, I can tell you that dealing with the people here has been the most fantastic experience."

Dennis was also very positive about the future of the sport, a future which he views with increasing optimism.

"I passionately believe that the most glorious chapters of Formula One are yet to come," he said, "as long as we maintain systems which encourage competitive racing via regulatory stability and foster entrepreneurial achievement yet reflect the world's changing environment in its priorities. Then the future of Formula One can be every bit as glorious as we want it to be."