Bahrain could kick off the 2010 F1 season, according to BMW Mario Theissen, even though he and his team may not be there to take part.

Talking to reporters at Spa-Francorchamps, Theissen, who admits that he hasn't seen a finalised version of the 2010 calendar, which is due to be revealed next month, said that Bahrain could replace Australia as the (now) traditional season opener. He also said that Canada is likely to appear on the calendar.

Australia has hosted the season opener since 1996 other than 2006 when Bahrain hosted it to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games which were being held in Melbourne at the time the Grand Prix would have normally taken place.

Asked by reporters which event would get the 2010 season underway, Theissen said: "Both scenarios are in discussion, but I haven't seen a finalised calendar."

While Theissen could be right about Bahrain kicking off the 2010 season, Pitpass has it from a highly reliable source that Canada is definitely not on the 2010 schedule. Furthermore, while India is still scheduled to join the calendar in 2011, in spite of this week's claim by the Indian Sports Ministry that F1 is entertainment and not a sport and consequently it will not stump up any cash, there is no sign of the United States returning to the schedule in the near future.