FIA Announce Record 21 GP Calendar for Formula One

A record 21 Grand Prix schedule has been revealed ahead of the 2012 Formula One season, with the United States Grand Prix returning to the calendar for the first time since 2007.

The Texas Grand Prix in Austin will debut on June 17 next year having recently signed a 10-year deal with motor sport’s world governing body, the FIA, which decides the calendar.

The programme reached a record 20 races for the first time this year, and now looks set to be extended again for next season.

The Bahrain Grand Prix will have another attempt at opening the season after it was rescheduled from its starting slot until October for the 2011 campaign, due to political protests.

The heavily criticised Turkish Grand Prix is also provisionally included on May 6 despite its future being called into doubt because of its struggle to win over local fans in recent years.

The Korean GP, which made its debut last year, has been moved from its normal October weekend to April 22, while the season will culminate with the Brazilian GP on November 25.