The 2000 schedule also includes a return of Formula One racing to the United States after a nine-year absence.

Motor racing's governing body, the FIA, says the British switch - from mid-July to April 23 - has been made to reduce transportation costs.

Holding it in July meant an expensive trek across the channel in between other Grands Prix on mainland Europe.

Now, the French, Austrian, German, Hungarian, Belgian and Italian races will be held in successive fortnights from July 2 to September 10.

Indy 2000

Silverstone will host the tour on April 23 - two weeks after the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola and a fortnight before the race goes to Barcelona.

The American Grand Prix will be held in Indianapolis on September 24.

The other major change is that Malaysia, which hosted a race for the first time this season, will stage next season's climax on October 22.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who has agreed to sell half his empire to Deutsche Bank's Morgan Grenfell in a $1.3 billion deal, is also reported to be in talks to take grand prix racing to Egypt and other Middle East destinations.

Dubai has been mooted as a future venue as Ecclestone tries to make the championship more global and also move away from Europe, where tobacco advertising is becoming increasingly difficult.