Jul.27 (GMM) F1's governing body on Friday published a provisional grand prix calendar for the 2008 season.

Contradicting earlier press reports, Australia is listed as the season opener atop an 18-race schedule; one more than this year.

With a May date, Turkey's round is much earlier than usual, while the Canadian grand prix is marked as provisional.

France has won a reprieve in the form of a solid June date, while the FIA confirmed that Valencia and Singapore will both stage races for the first time.

The season, meanwhile, will end in Brazil later than usual, on November 2.


The 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar was approved at the extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 26 July, 2007. The calendar is as follows:

2008 FIA Formula One World Championship

16 Mar - AUS - Australia
23 Mar - MAL - Malaysia
6 Apr - BRN - Bahrain
27 Apr - E - Spain
11 May - TR - Turkey
25 May - MC - Monaco
8 Jun - CDN - Canada*
22 Jun - F - France
6 Jul - GB - Great Britain
20 Jul - D - Germany
3 Aug - H - Hungary
24 Aug - E** - Europe***
7 Sep - I - Italy
14 Sep - B - Belgium
28 Sep - SGP** - Singapore
12 Oct - CN - China
19 Oct - J - Japan
2 Nov - BR - Brazil

*Provisional.
**Subject to circuit approval.
***The 2008 European Grand Prix will take place in Valencia.