Whatever one thinks about GP Masters, the series looks set to continue, following last year's event at Kyalami.

The series proved popular with race fans at the track and on TV, even though one has to wonder where the series is eventually heading, after all, Nigel, Emerson, Riccardo and friends can only continue racing for so long.

Today, series organizers have announced the 2006 schedule, and Nigel Mansell is clearly ecstatic at the thought:

"To add more chapters to the history we made at our sell-out event in South Africa is sensational news," said the Englishman, in the official press release, "and I for one cannot wait to get back into action!"

Much has been made of the fact that the series will visit Silverstone and Monza, both of which have played a significant role in the Englishman's (mostly) illustrious career.

The media, certainly in Britain, has been quick to jump on the bandwagon, particularly salivating at the thought of 'the peoples champion' returning to the scene of some of his most glorious moments.

However, in all the euphoria are we alone in wondering if we should be worried?

We know that Bernie Ecclestone is keen to drop a race in both Germany and Italy, both of which currently host two rounds of the World Championship, while his feelings towards Silverstone are well documented.

When the organizers of the A1 GP series were setting up the inaugural championship, it soon became clear that circuits which form part of the Formula One World Championship would not be able to host A1 events, since Bernie Ecclestone has the final say in what types of single-seater events F1 tracks can host, it is wriiten into the contracts.

Therefore, are we to surmise that Bernie Ecclestone is giving the thumbs up to GP Masters, or is it possible that both tracks could soon be disappearing from the F1 calendar? Let's not forget, as previously reported, Imola, which hosts the San Marino Grand Prix, is planning a major upgrade.

In all the excitement of the thought of Mansell returning to Silverstone, are we alone in wondering why Bernie appears to have given the race the green light?