Imola Returns

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The San Marino Grand Prix at Imola could return next year after it was decided to expand the 2007 Formula One calendar from 17 to 18 races.

The decision came in Paris on Monday at a meeting of motor racing's governing body the FIA, manufacturers and representatives of all the F1 teams.

The event was left off the calendar following the return of Belgium and a desire to limit the number of races.

Imola's reprieve is subject to agreed renovations to the pits and paddock.

If those cannot be carried out in the required time-frame, another track could be selected to host a race.

The FIA's F1 commission and World Motor Sport Council must also rubber-stamp Imola's reinstatement.

Imola is the closest Grand Prix circuit to Ferrari's headquarters and earlier this month, team president Luca di Montezemolo asked F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone to reprieve the race.

The decision in Paris to expand next year's calendar was a unanimous one.

Other decisions to come out of Monday's meeting included:

The FIA will prepare draft regulations for 2009 concerning the recovery and re-use of energy.

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Manufacturers will do the same for devices that could use waste heat and exhaust gases to help propel the cars.

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A freeze on engine development scheduled for 2008 will be brought forward to next year with teams agreeing to no further development after next month's Japanese Grand Prix other than returning to a rev limit of 19,000rpm.

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A 30,000km testing limit scheduled for 2008 will be brought forward to next year.

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A working group will be established to discuss ways of restricting the use of costly wind tunnels, simulators and the number of people employed by teams.