Grand Prix's Expanding Schedule: Five Destinations I'd Like to See

If the Formula 1 calendar was Santa Claus' waist band then it may just need a new belt for Christmas!

Twenty Grand Prix weekends is the speculation for next season, with further additions for the following 2012 season.

Never before has the sport seen or even considered such a lengthy calender, and for the racing fan it is a welcome transformation.

A race per week will soon be what is afforded to us. Gone will be the gaps between races that can cause a loss of interest.

Some hosts are already being touted in places like South Africa and Russia.

Here, though, is my list of five destinations where I would like to see a Grand Prix held in the future.

No. 5 Austria

The A1 Ring is the one track I will mention that has already had a firm grip on the racing calendar.

With the Austrian Alps in the background you once had a circuit that matched the tenacity and spontaneity of Interlagos.

Cars were made to climb ferociously at parts and then reverse the ascent with various downhill descents. The track was certainly efficient in testing drivers.

It strikes a chord with myself as a David Coulthard fan, as he holds the record for most podiums and most points scored at the track with five and 39 respectively.

Yet the track was deemed too dangerous and was removed from the calendar.

Since that exit the circuit has been through more talk than politicians at election time.

Stands were demolished and countless discussions of a return to racing ensued.

Sadly the track may never see the light of day again as currently it resembles more of a dumping site rather than an F1 track.

The track, in all its glory, deserves a place back on the Formula 1 grid.

No. 4 Wales

My joker in the pack is the tiny country of Wales. Currently the Welsh provide regular motorsport in the form of rallying.

The country lends itself well to such a sport as its mix of offroad tracks and beautiful scenery affords a consistent spectacle and challenging event.

So could the Welsh provide a new glimpse into the world of Formula 1?

Cardiff would be an obvious choice. It has the recognition of those in Great Britain and is building itself a nice reputation for speedway and cycling sporting events.

Yet I think that the centre of Wales could provide the inspired edge required to entertain. With little in the way of a population the masses of land accompany a backdrop that is truly Welsh in spirit.

From homemade triumphs to the resurgent Welsh language, those in the heart of the country could provide us with a unique feel to the racing.

The possibility of such an event coming to fruition is tiny. But stranger things have happened.

No. 3 Jamaica

For those of you who have ever seen the movie Cool Runnings you will be familiar with the sport of Push Cart racing.

As a variation from Soap Box Racing the sport involves downhill events featuring homemade vending carts that are transformed into speedy Push Carts.

The action is intense and portrays a nationally popular sporting occurrence.

Why not use this to inspire not only the Jamaican Bobsleigh team but a new venture for Formula 1.

The current Grand Prix of Brazil provides us with a beautifully constructed hilly track. With a similar feel to its composition, a Jamaican Grand Prix would require the cars to work their backsides off to get around.

The setting would allow a culturally authentic experience, as the Jamaicans are folk who love to live life and get into the spirit of competition.

No. 2 New York

The Dixie Chicks may not be a big fan of Texas after George Bush, but Bernie Ecclestone obviously is as he has decided to situate the next US Grand Prix in the southern state.

This was arguably at the loss of New York as a potential option. Ecclestone had remarked upon the possibility of a street race through the streets of New York. But alas, the speculation ended as nothing more than a dream.

But what is to stop a second Grand Prix of America from being instated? With America still looking to acquire a foothold in the sport a further circuit may be just what the doctor ordered.

Anyone with a brain can see the benefits from staging a Grand Prix in New York.

Commercially it would be a revelation. It would blow Monaco out of the water and thrust upon us a backdrop of Manhattan's inspiring skyline.

The world's best motorsport in the world's greatest arena.

Planning permission would be the main obstacle, but if Bernie has voiced his optimism before, what is going to stop him from doing it again, and doing it successfully next time?

No. 1 Norway

Dancing on ice for the motor racing world. Formula 1 on ice skates!

What truly amazing scenes could be witnessed by sticking 24 fast cars on a frozen lake?

Motorsport is not oblivious to this form of racing as it has been used before. Although it has to be noted that a Formula 1 car has never driven on ice.

Parts of Norway are immersed in darkness for long periods of the day, and local natives benefit from the Northern Lights phenomenom that befalls their night sky.

For anyone who hasn't seen it find a clip on youtube, watch it, and try and peel your eyes away. The sight of the light display can keep you transfixed for hours.

So stick the machines on ice, let them dance the night away, and let us have a magnificent spectacle.

It is worth pointing out that the frozen lake tracks of the past used shallow lakes, so drowning is an unlikely outcome for those safety conscious people out there! If anything the drivers would just have to make sure they don't lose focus and stare at the Northern Lights instead!