19 races in 2005?

The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris today and has listed 19 race dates in consideration for 2005. Whether this schedule will actually go ahead is yet to be decided; there was some dissent about this year's 18-race calendar.

For the moment, though, booking the dates prevents clashes with other racing series next year. Turkey is expected to join the calendar in 2005 and the possibility of 19 events suggests all the current races could be present.

"Bernie Ecclestone has, as it were, booked 19 weekends but it's by no means sure that there will be 19 races," FIA President Max Mosley told Reuters. "He would have to get our agreement for that, which would not be automatic. We have to give our consent for it to be more than 16 races. And you have to get the agreement of the teams.

"But it was sensible to block those dates so that you wouldn't then get, for example, a round of the world rally championship that conflicted."

2005 dates blocked for the 2005 FIA Formula One Championship

March 6th
March 20th
April 3rd
April 17th
April 24th
May 8th
May 22nd
June 5th
June 12th
June 26th
July 3rd
July 17th
July 31st
August 21st
September 4th
September 11th
September 25th
October 9th
October 23rd