The year begins as usual in Qatar on March 10, and terminates in Valencia on November 17; and the order of events is unchanged.

Significantly, the British GP is still marked down for Silverstone, in spite of the disastrous resurfacing problems that cause cancellation a fortnight ago. There is some potential for this to change, however.

Less likely to change, the German GP. Threats at this year’s event that it would be the last at the Sachsenring were hollow, and the pocket-handkerchief track outside Chemnitz has been confirmed for 2019, with a statement from promoters ADAC that they have “intensified their commitment to the event,” and hope it will continue at the circuit.

A few days later came confirmation that the San Marino GP will stay at Misano until 2021.

The provisional calendar is:

10 March

Qatar*

Losail International Circuit

31 March

República Argentina

Termas de Río Hondo

14 April

Americas

Circuit of the Americas

05 May

Spain

Circuito de Jerez

19 May

France

Le Mans

02 June

Italy

Autodromo del Mugello

16 June

Catalunya

Barcelona – Catalunya

30 June

Netherlands

TT Circuit Assen

07 July

Germany

Sachsenring

04 August

Czech Republic

Automotodrom Brno

11 August

Austria

Red Bull Ring – Spielberg

25 August

Great Britain

Silverstone Circuit

15 September

San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini

Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli

22 September

Aragón

MotorLand Aragón

06 October

Thailand

Chang International Circuit

20 October

Japan

Twin Ring Motegi

27 October

Australia

Phillip Island

03 November

Malaysia

Sepang International Circuit

17 November

Comunitat Valenciana

Comunitat Valenciana – Ricardo Tormo