Mystery surrounds 2016 F1 season finale, as conflicting stories do the rounds.

Reports earlier today that Malaysia will close the 2016 season appear to be somewhat wide of the mark, though talk of a December date for the final race not so.

The 21-date calendar, the biggest in the sport's history, has led to all manner of problems for F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who is still having to arrange the dates to suit the various parties.

While the teams are insisting that the three-week summer break is retained, and Australia wants to host the season opener in April, Abu Dhabi is insistent on hosting the final race of the year.

Currently, the summer break in 2016 is reduced to two weeks, whilst Singapore and Malaysia, due to take place on successive weekends, do not want a double header.

Speaking to reporters in Italy, Ecclestone denied earlier reports that Malaysia will round off the season. "It won't be the last, the one before," he said.

Asked if delaying the season finale until December would be good for the sport, he smiled and replied: "It would be nice on Christmas Eve I think."

In 1962, the season was brought to a close on 29 December in South Africa, the race won by Graham Hill in a BRM. The following year the race took place a day earlier, again in South Africa, this time Jim Clark taking victory.

Check out our Friday gallery, here.