Formula One schedule announced

The Australian Grand Prix will kick off the 2008 season, contrary to reports in recent weeks that Bahrain would get the nod for the curtain-raiser.

The FIA today unveiled the provisional schedule for next year with new events at Valencia and Singapore included on the calendar as expected, while the US no longer has an event following the failure of a new agreement between Formula One and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Magny Cours remains on the schedule despite expectations earlier in the year that there would be no French event next year, before a return in 2009 at a possible new venue.

Suzuka officials had hoped that it would host the Japanese event next year after losing the race to Fuji this year, but Fuji again is included on the calendar.


2008 Formula One calendar

Mar 16 Australia (Melbourne)
Mar 23 Malaysia (Sepang)
Apr 6 Bahrain (Sakhir)
Apr 27 Spain (Barcelona)
May 11 Turkey (Istanbul)
May 25 Monaco (Monte Carlo)
Jun 8 Canada* (Montreal)
Jun 22 France (Magny Cours)
Jul 6 Britain (Silverstone)
Jul 20 Germany (Hockenheim)
Aug 3 Hungary (Hungaroring)
Aug 24 Europe (Valencia)**
Sep 7 Italy (Monza)
Sep 14 Belgium (Spa Francorchamps)
Sep 28 Singapore**
Oct 12 China (Shanghai)
Oct 19 Japan (Fuji)
Nov 2 Brazil (Interlagos)


* Provisional
** subject to circuit approval