It might be said that Fernando Alonso could hardly contain his indifference following today's announcement that Valencia is to host a Grand Prix from next year, giving Spain two races.

Asked what he though of the news, the Spaniard responded: "For me, it is not going to be a big difference. We have 17, 18 or 19 races in the calendar, or whatever, and we go always to every country and we are happy to race in any place.

"Now we have two Grands Prix in Spain and for me it will be okay and it will be nice to see how it develops. Before we didn't even have television coverage, now we are going to have two Grands Prix, so it is very special. I am happy for motor sport in Spain but for us it is not a big change to take the plane to Valencia or take the plane to Italy."

Referring to the fact that the race will take place on a street circuit, theWorld Champion continued: "The direction that Formula One is trying to go in the last couple of years is to improve safety and to slow down the cars, and now to have a race on the streets when we have a circuit only 20 or 30 kilometres away in Valencia, that is a little bit difficult to understand, what the Formula One bosses want, but for us so far as it is safe and they put in what is required to make it safe we will race anywhere."

Fellow Spaniard, Pedro de la Rosa, was far more enthusiastic regarding today's news: "Two (races) is better than one and three is better than two. The most Grands Prix we have in Spain we must be proud of it."