The 2012 season will still kick off on March 18 next year, despite the Bahrain Grand Prix being moved to a November date.
Formula 1 bosses and teams are working on a revised calendar, quite different than that published by the FIA earlier this year. As reported yesterday, the season will kick off in Australia rather than in Bahrain in order to give the country more time to calm the political situation down.
Formula 1 commercial rights manager Bernie Ecclestone circulated a calendar among teams in Hungary to get their feedback, and it confirmed the season will still begin on March 18 – the date originally assigned to Bahrain – in Melbourne.
The calendar also confirms the United States Grand Prix at Austin will move to Nov. 18 in order for the race to take place in cooler conditions. The race will be followed by the season finale in Brazil just a week later.
Ecclestone's proposed calendar – which will need to be approved by the FIA – confirms the Turkish Grand Prix will be dropped from next year.
Proposed 2012 Formula 1 calendar:
March 18 Australian GP
March 25 Malaysian GP
April 8 Chinese GP
April 22 Indian GP
May 13 Spanish GP
May 27 Monaco GP
June 10 Canada GP
June 24 European GP
July 8 British GP
July 22 German GP
July 29 Hungarian GP
Sept. 2 Belgian GP
Sept. 9 Italian GP
Sept. 23 Singapore GP
Oct. 7 Japanese GP
Oct. 14 Korean GP
Oct. 28 Abu Dhabi GP
Nov. 4 Bahrain GP
Nov. 18 US GP (Austin)
Nov. 25 Brazilian GP