FIA approves F1 calendar for 2012

Friday, 2 September 2011 02:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Formula One will increase its number of races from 19 to 20 next season and return to Bahrain, but the Turkish Grand Prix was dropped from the schedule approved Wednesday by the FIA.

The World Motor Sport Council, the FIA’s most powerful body, ratified by unanimous decision the schedule proposed in July by F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. The United States will host a race in Austin, Texas next year in November. The last US GP was held in 2007 in Indianapolis. Turkey did not make the cut, despite complaints from some racing teams, but Bahrain is back on the schedule.

This year’s Bahrain GP was delayed, reinstated and then finally cancelled in the wake of political unrest in the Gulf country.

At least 32 people have been killed in a crackdown on anti-government protests.