Italian Races Confirmed for 2002 Calendar

The Italian and San Marino Grands Prix were confirmed on the 2002 Formula One world championship calendar as Australia remained the only provisional race on the list for next year.

The FIA gave the British Grand Prix a reprieve and guaranteed the Silverstone race would be in next year's championship at their World Motor Sport Council meeting in Monaco on Friday, and the Italian races were also confirmed.

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza and the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola were thought to be in doubt as their respective organisers were reported to be struggling to secure new commercial deals and find the funds to make necessary improvements for 2002.

But the FIA, who had originally signified that the two races were provisional for next year, issued the 2002 calendar on a press release on Friday and the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne was the only provisional event. The Australian race is expected to open next season on March 3, but cannot be confirmed until a coroner's inquiry into the death of a safety marshal at this year's event is concluded.

Marshal Graham Beveridge died after being hit by a wheel from the crashing British American Racing car of Jacques Villeneuve. The race organisers have promised to make safety changes at the Albert Park circuit and the coroners inquiry is set to conclude next week.