Next stop: Dubai

Next year's calendar is still far from finalized but the plan for pre-season testing has become clearer following a meeting between Ecclestone and team principals on Friday in Hungary. Testing is likely to start with a test at the Spanish circuit of Jerez but the two subsequent tests are thought likely to be held at a new venue for Formula One, the Dubai Autodrome.

Not only does the venue, which was built in 2004 and has staged a number of international races, virtually guarantee warm weather for teams, it would also offer Emirates an additional way to activate its multi-million dollar sponsorship of Formula One, which began this year. The financial muscle of Dubai's national carrier, on home ground, could be the catalyst for the proper made-for-television pre-season launch Formula One is crying out for. Blackbook.biz