Indian GP confirmed for Oct 2012, US round also included
December 8th, 2011 - 12:08 am ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Thursday confirmed a 20-race calendar for the 2012 Formula One season and the Indian Grand Prix will be held from Oct 26-28 as previously scheduled. The United States Grand Prix was also included in the calendar.
The FIA approved the race calendar at a World Motor Sport Council meeting in the national capital where its Annual General Assembly (AGA) is going on from Dec 5. The AGA is happening for the first time in India and will concluded with the FIA Awards Night Friday.
The Indian Grand Prix will again be the 17th race of the season and will take place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida near here. The inaugural race this year was from Oct 28-30.
The Bahrain round, which was cancelled in March due to civil unrest, will be the fourth race in 2012.
The FIA also announced a host of rule changes for the next season.
A three-day test will be allowed during the season as compared to none previously and the maximum duration of a race will limited to fours hours, the FIA said in a statement.
“A maximum race time is to ensure that a lengthy suspension of a race does not result in a race that could run up to eight hours if left unregulated,” said the statement.
From now onwards, when safety car returns to the pits all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions.
The cars which were in the pit lane when a race is suspended will now be allowed to re-join the cars on the grid in the position they were in when the race was halted .
The drivers will not be allowed to move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.
The 11 set of tyres allocated to a driver can now be used on the first day of practice. Earlier, only three sets were permitted.
The 2012 season begins with Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 16-18.
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- FIA: Bahrain race to take place as scheduled - Apr 13, 2012
- Karthikeyan trying to get a race before Indian GP - Sep 02, 2011
- Whats' in a name, but why F1? ask spectators - Oct 29, 2011
- Wanted a race in Bahrain as they have helped F1: Ecclestone - Jun 11, 2011
- India major market for motor sports: GT1 boss - Mar 02, 2012
- Living out of a suitcase, Formula One style - Oct 30, 2011
- F1 Indian Grand Prix will make overtaking easier - Apr 25, 2011
- 'Managing logistics will be a humongous excercise in Indian GP' - Jun 02, 2011
- 'Managing logistics for Indian Grand Prix a major challenge' (Lead) - Jun 02, 2011
- Vettel crowned World Champion at FIA Gala, Buddh Circuit awarded - Dec 10, 2011
- Vettel wins a near perfect race, Sutil finishes ninth (Roundup) - Oct 30, 2011
- MRF races at Noida F1 circuit - Dec 01, 2010
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