Mexico and Russia face race to be confirmed on circuit

A draft of the provisional calendar has been circulated to teams this week ahead of a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council scheduled to take place in Dubrovnik later this month.

For the second successive year it appears there will be no grand prix in New Jersey, despite recent claims to the contrary made by promoter Leo Hindery Jnr and despite it being a dream of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Instead, Mexico has a November 9 slot – the country’s first race in 22 years – to run back-to-back with the United States Grand Prix, with Brazil again closing the season on November 30.

Mexico’s return, however, is dependent on the old Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez being given a major makeover to ensure it is race-ready.

Russia is also pencilled in to make its debut on October 19, but again that is dependent on the track at Sochi being developed in time.

The return of Austria at the Red Bull Ring has been switched from July 6, a date now occupied by Silverstone, to June 22.

The season will again begin at Melbourne’s Albert Park on March 16, despite suggestions earlier this year that Bahrain would open proceedings a fortnight earlier.

Korea has been brought forward from October to an April date and will come immediately after the race in China, although the Korean race is reliant on a new contract being agreed with with Ecclestone.

Draft calendar: Mar 16 - Australia (Melbourne); Mar 23 - Malaysia (Sepang); Apr 6 - China (Shanghai); Apr 13 - Korea* (Korea International Circuit); Apr 27 - Bahrain (Sakhir); May 11 - Spain (Barcelona); May 25 - Monaco (Monaco); Jun 8 - Canada (Montreal); Jun 22 - Austria (Red Bull Ring); Jul 6 - Britain (Silverstone); Jul 20 - Germany (Hockenheim); Jul 27 - Hungary (Budapest); Aug 24 - Belgium (Spa); Sep 7 - Italy (Monza); Sep 21 - Singapore (Marina Bay); Oct 5 - Japan (Suzuka); Oct 19 - Russia* (Sochi); Oct 26 - Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina); Nov 9 - Mexico* (Mexico City); Nov 16 - USA (Circuit of the Americas); Nov 30 - Brazil (Interlagos).

* circuit/contract dependent.

n Lewis Hamilton has revealed he would happily pay to be booed again by the Ferrari fans at the end of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton was soaked with champagne following his win at Monza last season – but only after being drowned by a chorus of jeers as he took to the top step of the podium.

The ‘tifosi’, the term used to describe the collective of passionate Ferrari supporters, made Hamilton fully aware of their displeasure at not seeing one of their own in his place.

“I would love to have that experience again this year - I’d pay to have that experience,” said Hamilton.

“If I’m up there and I’m being booed that means I’ve won, so I definitely want that.

“I’m sure it will be the same again this year.”