OCTOBER 19, 2006

San Marino out!

The FIA World Council has agreed to the calendar as previously published, despite the fact that the dates make little sense at the start of the year with the Australian GP by itself on March 18 and then a three-week gap before Malaysia on April 8 and Bahrain on April 15. There will then be a gap of a month before the Spanish GP as Imola seems to have failed to find a way to stay on the calendar.

Germany's idea of alternation has been confirmed with the Nurburgring getting the 2007 race. China and Japan have yet to be confirmed as there is yet to deals with the local clubs. This may open the way for more changes.

The calendar can still be changed in the months ahead if the Italians can figure out a way of getting back into the calendar - presumably money will help.