China, Bahrain Confirmed for 2004, Spa Returns

China and Bahrain will make Formula One debuts next season with Belgium's Spa circuit pencilled in again after a year's absence, the sport's governing body said today.

Canada and Austria were absent from a 17-race calendar approved by the International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s World Motor Sport Council.

Among other major changes, Brazil's Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo will replace Japan as the final race of the year on October 24. Japan was given an October 10 date, allowing it to follow on directly from the new race in China on September 26 for logistical convenience.

Bahrain will be the third race on the calendar, slotting in on April 4 after Australia and Malaysia and before the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring on April 25.

The San Marino Grand Prix, which has been the first European race of the season in recent years, moves to a June 6 date between Monaco on May 23 and the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis on June 20.

Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit returns on August 29 after being dropped this year because of local legislation against tobacco advertising.

Three of the top four teams are heavily backed by cigarette brands while BAR are part-owned by British American Tobacco. The FIA said Spa remained provisional subject to a new tobacco law being approved in Belgium.

Tobacco legislation was cited earlier in the year as the reason for dropping Canada and Austria's races.

China's Shanghai and the race in Bahrain remained subject to approval of their facilities, billed as the most advanced in Formula One and the work of renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke.

Britain, whose future had been in doubt after critical comments by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, was confirmed at Silverstone on July 4. The French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours on July 11 was listed as provisional subject to the negotiation of a new contract.

The 2004 Calendar:

March 7 - Australian GP, Melbourne

March 21 - Malaysian GP, Sepang

April 4 - Bahrain GP, Bahrain ***

April 25 - European GP, Nurburgring, Germany

May 9 - Spanish GP, Barcelona

May 23 - Monaco GP, Monaco

June 6 - San Marino GP, Imola

June 20 - US GP, Indianapolis

July 4 - British GP, Silverstone

July 11 - French GP, Magny-Cours *

July 25 - German GP, Hockenheim

August 15 - Hungarian GP, Budapest

August 29 - Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps **

September 12 - Italian GP, Monza

September 26 - Chinese GP, Shanghai ***

October 10 - Japanese GP, Suzuka

October 24 - Brazilian GP, Sao Paulo

* Subject to contract

** Subject to tobacco law

*** Subject to circuit approval