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?