Next year’s Formula One calendar is taking shape nicely now, with the announcement that Australian has returned to its traditional place as the season opener, even if it is two weeks later than normal. FOM chief Bernie Ecclestone also informed everyone at the Hockenheim circuit last weekend that there would only be eighteen races ion the agenda next year, despite earlier reports that we could see as many as twenty.

However, new venues are still trying to make their way on to the tour and to accommodate certain venues will miss out as a result, such as Hockenheim and the Nurburgring with the circus only visiting Germany once instead of twice, making the two tracks share their home race, alternatively, starting with the Nurburgring in 2007.

Many fans will be pleased to hear that the magnificent crowd pleasing Spa-Francorchamps circuit will be back on the agenda after the Belgian Grand Prix was dropped this season, however there is bad news as well with the superb figure eight Suzuka circuit has lost their position as host to the Japanese Grand Prix in favour of Toyota’s facility at Mount Fuji.