It is an indication of the prestige of Formula 1 that so many countries are competing to hold a Grand Prix of their own. At the last count Turkey, Russia, China, Egypt, Dubai and Bahrain were all lobbying for a race. The head of the Turkish motorsport federation has just announced that his country's goverment will contribute tens of millions of dollars to help build a circuit and secure a Grand Prix. Other governments are promising likewise.

he current championship consists of 17 races in 15 countries (assuming you count Monaco and France separately) on 5 continents. With the season already stretching from early March to mid October it seems likely that any additional races will have to be introduced at the cost of existing ones. And as both Germany and Italy host two races each, they are perhaps the most obvious candidates for the chop - should any of the bids be successful.