Bahrain to start 19-race 2006 season.

Bahrain is to host the opening round of the 2006 Formula One World Championship after the calendar was announced following a meeting of the FIA World Council.

The Middle East circuit will swap places on the calendar with the Australian GP, which will move from its place as the first race of the season at the start of March to the third race after Bahrain and the Malaysian GP at Sepang in order to accommodate the Commonwealth Games which take place in Melbourne from 15-26 March.

Fernando Alonso leads at the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso leads at the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix
© XPB.CC

Bahrain is to host the opening round of the 2006 Formula One World Championship after the calendar was announced following a meeting of the FIA World Council.

The Middle East circuit will swap places on the calendar with the Australian GP, which will move from its place as the first race of the season at the start of March to the third race after Bahrain and the Malaysian GP at Sepang in order to accommodate the Commonwealth Games which take place in Melbourne from 15-26 March.

San Marino will again host the opening race of the European season at the end of April, before the European GP moves from its date at the end of May to the start of the month ahead of both Spain and Monaco. The British round of the season at Silverstone moves back to a June date before back-to-back events in Canada and the United States break up the European season.

Brazil will play host to the season finale, although a race date of 22 October is currently subject to contract approval.

2006 Formula One World Championship Calendar:

12 MarchBahrainBahrain
19 MarchMalaysiaSepang
2 AprilAustraliaAlbert Park
23 AprilSan MarinoImola
7 MayEuropeNurburgring
14 MaySpainCatalunya
28 MayMonacoMonte Carlo
11 JuneBritainSilverstone
25 JuneCanadaCircuit Gilles Villeneuve
2 JulyUnited StatesIndianapolis
16 JulyFranceMagny Cours
30 JulyGermany Hockenheim
6 AugustHungaryHungaroring
27 AugustTurkeyIstanbul
10 SeptemberItalyMonza
17 SeptemberBelgiumSpa
1 OctoberJapanSuzuka
8 OctoberChinaShanghai
22 OctoberBrazil *Interlagos

*Subject to contract approval

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