Mat Coch writes:

The 2013 Formula One season will kick off on March 17 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, according to a draft calendar shown to teams.

While yet to be officially confirmed, the calendar contains no real surprises, remaining at twenty races and following a similar schedule to 2012.

Perhaps the biggest change is the omission of the European Grand Prix in Valencia, while the Grand Prix of America joins Montreal as part of the sport’s North American leg in the middle of the year.

Speculation has been rife for some time over the New Jersey race’s future with many questioning whether the event will actually happen. Organisers have given precious little detail away in terms of its financial prompting suggestions all may not be what it seems. Indeed, talking to a source close to Pitpass recently Bernie Ecclestone as much as said that it will not happen, certainly not next year.

Nonetheless, its appearance on the calendar marks the first time since 1984 that Formula One has had two Grands Prix in the United States, back then the circus visited both Detroit and Dallas.

Valencia’s omission comes as no surprise; the circuit around the America’s Cup dock has never been especially popular with teams, drivers or fans. The Spanish circuit may well reappear for 2014 however as it looks at sharing the Spanish Grand Prix with Barcelona.

The calendar is still to be ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council though it’s unlikely any changes will be made as they rubber stamp the schedule.