Still working on the 2016 calendar, Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed talk of a season finale in December.

Contradictory reports at the weekend concerning the Malaysia Grand Prix led to claims the event could round off the season in December, Bernie Ecclestone not helping the situation by claiming a race on Christmas Eve "would be nice".

The 21-date calendar, the biggest in the sport's history already features the latest season opener (Australia on 3 April) since 1988, whilst the (now) traditional summer break has been hit, a move which has angered the teams.

The situation surrounding the Malaysia Grand prix is that in 2016 it is moved from its traditional early slot to later in the year, back-to-back with Singapore, a move which has not best pleased the latter.

"I'm going to move that a little bit," Ecclestone told Reuters. "I don't know where, I'm having a look now."

Asked about earlier reports, he added: "I think we can escape going into December, otherwise it's getting a bit too near Christmas."

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.

In 1965 and 1968, the season got underway on 1 January, both times in South Africa, both races won by Jim Clark.