China and Bahrain will make Formula One debuts next season with Belgium's Spa circuit pencilled in again after a year's absence, the sport's governing body confirmed today.
Canada and Austria were absent from a 17 race calendar approved by the International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s World Motor Sport Council.
Among other major changes, Brazil's Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo will replace Japan as the final race of the year on October 24th.
Japan was given an October 10th date, allowing it to follow on directly from the new race in China on September 26th for logistical convenience.
Bahrain will be the third race on the calendar, slotting in on April 4th after Australia and Malaysia and before the European Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring on April 25th.
The San Marino Grand Prix, which has been the first European race of the season in recent years, moves to a June 6th date between Monaco on May 23rd and the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis on June 20th.
Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit returns on August 29th after being dropped this year because of local legislation against tobacco advertising.
Three of the top four teams are heavily backed by cigarette brands while BAR are part-owned by British American Tobacco.
The FIA said Spa remained provisional subject to a new tobacco law being approved in Belgium.
Tobacco legislation was cited earlier in the year as the reason for dropping Canada and Austria's races.
China's Shanghai and the race in Bahrain remained subject to approval of their facilities, billed as the most advanced in Formula One and the work of renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke.
Britain, whose future had been in doubt after critical comments by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, was confirmed at Silverstone on July 4th.
The French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours on July 11th was listed as provisional subject to the negotiation of a new contract.