The FIA has revealed a 13-round 2011 World Rally Championship calendar, and confirmed that the Monte Carlo Rally will be absent from the series for the third successive season.
The series will start – as this year's did – in Sweden. As expected, Jordan has also replaced the previously mooted Abu Dhabi date on the calendar. The Abu Dhabi Rally will run as a candidate event next season, with a possible inclusion to the 2012 schedule.
The FIA has pointed out that a 14th round could be included for next year, with this being decided at the June meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.
Sources within the FIA told AUTOSPORT this is buying the WRC's promoter North One Sport some additional time for negotiation with the Automobile Club de Monaco, in an effort to return the Monaco-based event to the WRC itinerary. Speculation persists that if Monte does remain in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Poland could be pressed into action in nine months.
The source said: "There's a feeling that the WRC should be the first global rally championship to start next season. So, with that in mind, it's possible that an event like Poland – which is the first reserve in 2011 – could run in an early January date as a winter rally and offering a similar challenge to Monte. We'll see in June."
2011 World Rally Championship
Rally Sweden (10-13 February)
Rally Mexico (3-6 March)
Rally Portugal (24-27 March)
Jordan Rally (14-17 April)
Rally d'Italia (5-8 May)
Rally Argentina (26-29 May)
Acropolis Rally (16-19 June)
Rally Finland (28-31 July)
Rallye Deutschland (18-21 August)
Rally Australia (8-11 September)
Rally of France(September 29-2 October)
Catalunya Rally (20-23 October)
Rally GB (10-13 November)