JUNE 21, 2000

Malaysia the main mover as FIA release provisional 2001 calendar

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, on Wednesday announced the provisional calendar for the 2001 World Championship, and the Malaysian Grand Prix was the only major mover. The Malaysian race, in Kuala Lumpur, is the last race of this year's season, but in 2001 it will be the second race of the season.

The only other changes in order were for the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, which has moved from May to June and will now be after the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix.

The British Grand Prix has also swapped places with the Spanish Grand Prix and will now be in May, pending the outcome of the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in October 4.

FIA vice president Bernie Ecclestone had suggested that the race would be returned to its original July date after the chaos that marred the rain-hit event in April.

2001 provisional Formula One calendar:

March 4 Australia (Melbourne)

March 18 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

April 1 Brazil (Sao Paulo)

April 15 San Marino (Imola)

April 29 Spain (Barcelona)

May 13 Great Britain (Silverstone) *Provisional

May 27 Monaco (Monaco)

June 10 Canada (Montreal)

June 24 Europe (Nurburgring)

July 8 France (Magny-Cours)

July 22 Austria (Spielberg)

August 5 Germany (Hockenheim)

August 19 Hungary (Hungaroring)

September 2 Belgium (Spa)

September 16 Italy (Monza)

September 30 United States (Indianapolis)

October 14 Japan (Suzuka)