FIA announce 21-race 2012 calendar

While most of the focus was on Bahrain, the World Motor Sport Council gave the go-ahead to a 21-race calendar for the 2012 season

Next year's Championship will kick off in Bahrain despite the island kingdom's 2011 race only taking place on October 30th.

Added to that, Korea has been moved up the order to April while the United States GP will slot in after Canada and Turkey is subjec to a new contract being signed.

The season will end with the Brazilian GP on November 25th.

There are also seven times during the Championship when F1 will host back-to-back race weekends.

2012 Calendar
11 Mar Bahrain
18 Mar Australia
01 Apr Malaysia
08 Apr China
22 Apr Korea
06 May Turkey *
20 May Spain
27 May Monaco
10 Jun Canada
17 Jun USA United States
01 Jul Valencia, Spain
15 Jul Great Britain
29 Jul Germany
05 Aug Hungary
02 Sept Belgium
09 Sept Italy
30 Sept Singapore
14 Oct Japan
28 Oct India
11 Nov Abu Dhabi
25 Nov Brazil

* Subject to confirmation

Source: Planet-F1

The Monaco GP timetable

Monaco is usually the highlight on the calendar for every driver. This year's grand prix around the narrow streets of Monte Carlo marks the sixth race of the 2011 F1 World Championship

All times are local (Monaco is GMT +2)

Wednesday 25 May
15:00: FIA press conference

Thursday 26 May
10:00 - 11:30: First free practice
14:00 - 15:30: Second free practice
16:00: FIA press conference

Saturday 28 May
11:00 - 12:00: Third free practice
14:00 - 15:00: Qualifying
15h00: FIA post qualifying press conference

Sunday 29 May
14:00 - 16:00: Monaco GP
16:00: FIA post race press conference

Monaco GP Info
No of Laps: 78
Race Distance: 260.520km
Lap Record: 1:14.439 - M Schumacher (2004)
2010 Winner: Mark Webber (Red Bull)

Source: Planet-F1

2011 World Rally Championship Calendar from Kimi Räikkönen

Kimi will compete in 10 WRC events - he will currently not enter the 3 marked *

1.Rally Sweden 10 - 13 Feb 11

2.Rally Guanajuato Mexico * 03 - 06 Mar 11

3.Vodafone Rally de Portugal 24 - 27 Mar 11

4.Jordan Rally 14 - 16 Apr 11

5.Rally d'Italia Sardegna 05 - 08 May 11

6.Rally Argentina * 26 - 29 May 11

7.Acropolis Rally of Greece 16 - 19 Jun 11

8.Neste Oil Rally Finland 28 - 31 Jul 11

9.ADAC Rally Deutschland 18 - 21 Aug 11

10.Rally Australia * 08 - 11 Sep 11

11.Rallye de France 29 Sep - 02 Oct 11

12.RACC Rally de Espana 20 - 23 Oct 11

13.Wales Rally GB 10 - 13 Nov 11

Source: kimiraikkonen.com

Abu Dhabi to help Bulgaria join F1 calendar

Abu Dhabi is set to help Bulgaria join the Formula One calendar.

According to reports, an economic cooperation agreement was signed this week between the Bulgarian economy minister and the Emirates Associated Business Group, a state-owned Abu Dhabi company.

Standart News and Sofia news agency Novinite claim the agreement involves construction of a Formula One circuit at the former air base at Dobroslavtsi, 15 kilometres from the Bulgarian capital.

The agreement would see Abu Dhabi pay for construction of the circuit, with the land provided by Bulgaria.

The press office of the Bulgarian economy ministry confirmed the news.

2012 is slated as a possible Grand Prix debut date, but the reports said a proposal is late being lodged with the FIA.

Source: Motorsport