Formula One 2006 – Calendar

Only a little over two months from the start of the 2006 Formula One season, I thought I would publish the proposed calendar and give my predictions for the upcoming year.

March 12th – Bahrain, Sakhir

March 19th – Malaysia, Sepang

April 2nd – Australia, Melbourne

April 23rd – San Marino, Imola

May 7th – Europe, Nurburgring

May 14th – Spain, Catalunya

May 28th – Monaco, Monte Carlo

June 11th – Great Britain, Silverstone

June 25th – Canada, Montreal

July 2nd – United States, Indiapolis

July 16th – France, Magny Cours

July 30th – Germany, Hockenheimring

August 6th – Hungary, Hungaroring

August 27th – Turkey, Istanbul

September 10th – Italy, Monza

CANCELLED: September 17th – Belgium, Spa Francorchamps

October 1st – China, Shanghai

October 8th – Japan, Suzuka

October 22nd – Brazil, Interlagos

And the team listing is:

Renault – Fernando Alonso, Giancarlo Fisichella

McLaren – Kimi Raikkonen, Juan Pablo Montoya

Ferrari – Michael Schumacher, Felipe Massa

Toyota – Jarno Trulli, Ralf Schumacher

Williams – Mark Webber, Nico Rosberg

Honda Racing – Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello

Red Bull Racing – David Coulthard, Christian Klien

BMW Sauber – Nick Heifeld, Jacques Villeneuve

Midland F1 – Christijan Albers, Tiago Monteiro

Scuderia Torre Rosso – Vitantonio Liuzzi, Scott Speed

Super Aguri – Takuma Sato, Yuji Ide

With a pumped up Ferrari trying to reclaim their top spot, and McLaren hoping to continue their progress, it should be fun watching Renault defending their crown. And with Midland, Red Bull Jnr and BMW all new to the game, 2006 looks to be a belter of a season.

Prediction – Raikkonen to win the Drivers Title, Ferrari to win the Constructors Title. Renault will do well, but it won’t be enough to stop McLaren. Red Bull Snr will continue their progress, and Toyota should win a race. Midland will flop, and BMW will have a very difficult first season. They will almost certainly drop Villeneuve by the end of the year, and Montoya will lose in the race to remain at McLaren. Unless – that is – Kimi is being sized up for a red racing suit to replace Schumacher Snr?