"I agree, it was a big move, but we always have to accommodate the calendar," said Francesco Longanesi, head of external relations at FIA.

"It was for a number of reasons. ... I think one of the main reasons was likely the reinstatement of the Belgian Grand Prix at the last minute and the overlapping it caused.

"Also I assume the United States Grand Prix in September required a bit if reshuffling and so it needed to be done this way."

There has also been speculation that a move to April might appeal to British GP organizers because it would increase the chances of a more exciting race in wet weather. The race is set for April 23, which is Easter weekend and that is likely to translate into large crowds because of the holiday.

Roger Etcell, director of sport at the Silverstone circuit in central England, welcomed the change.

"For the first time in years our event will not clash with any other major sporting occasion," he said.

The 2000 season starts with the Australian GP in Melbourne on March 12 and ends with the Malaysian GP at Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 22.

That means there could be another dramatic race in Kuala Lumpur. This year's Malaysian race -- the first to be held there -- produced one of the most controversial finishes in the history of Formula One.

Ferrari's Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher finished first and second ahead of McLaren's defending world champion Mika Hakkinen only for race officials to disqualify the leading two because of alleged violation of FIA regulations on aerodynamic deflectors.

That ruling meant that Hakkinen placed first and clinched the world title for the second year in a row with a race to spare. But Ferrari won an appeal, the original result stood meaning that Irvine goes into Sunday's final race at Japan leading Hakkinen by four points.