F1 2001 calendar confirmed.

The FIA World Council met in Seville yesterday [Wednesday] and, amongst other business, approved that latest version of next year's World Championship calendar.

British race fans will breathe a sigh of relief that Silverstone Circuit managed to meet all the pre-conditions imposed at a previous meeting, guaranteeing that the British Grand Prix can run at the Northampton venue next year. The other good news for the hardy faithful that attended this eyar's Easter event is that common sense has prevailed and a swap of dates with Austria means Silverstone will stage the race in the height of what everyone hopes will be summer.

Formula One personnel will also be delighted with the news that there will be a complete ban on racing and testing between the German and Hungarian events, apart from them being allowed to carry out a 50 kilometre maximum shakedown test the week prior to the Budapest race.

However, with three races outside Europe kicking off the year, many of the workers will probably be dead on their feet by the time the series gets to round four at Imola. To accommodate the three-week gap in the 34-week calendar, the back-to-back scenario reappears next year, with the French race following just one weekend after the European Grand Prix.

Formula One schedule 2001.

March 4 Australia (Melbourne)
March 18 Malaysia (Sepang)
April 1 Brazil (Interlagos)
April 15 San Marino (Imola)
April 29 Spain (Barcelona)
May 13 Austria (A1 Ring Zeltweg)
May 27 Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 10 Canada (Montreal)
June 24 Europe (Nurburgring)
July 1 France (Magny Cours)
July 15 Great Britain (Silverstone)
July 29 Germany (Hockenheim)
August 19 Hungary (Hungaroring)
September 2 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
September 16 Italy (Monza)
September 30 USA (Indianapolis)
October 14 Japan (Suzuka)