FIA reveals 2010 F1 calendar

The FIA has revealed a 19-race calendar for the 2010 F1 season, confirming the return of the Canadian Grand Prix and a debut for Korea.

The season will begin in Bahrain, with the traditional curtain-raiser in Australia moving to the second race of the season. Malaysia and China will also host their races before the season returns to Europe in early may for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Following the races in Monaco and Turkey, North America will make its return to F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix given a date in early June. However, the event is still subject to the completion of negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management group, with the Turkish race set to move back a week if the Canadian talks aren't completed.

The European Grand Prix in Valencia moves forward to June ahead of the first scheduled British GP at Donington Park, with Germany, Hungary, Belgium and Italy completing the European season.

The Singapore night race in late September will be followed by the Japanese Grand Prix in early October and the first ever F1 event in Korea, which is due to take place on 17 October at a new circuit south of the capital Seoul.

Abu Dhabi and Brazil will then round out the season.

The provisional 2010 calendar is as follows - the 2009 one is shown after for easy comparison...

2010 Formula One World Championship Calendar:

14 MarchBahrain
28 MarchAustralia
4 AprilMalaysia
18 AprilChina
9 MaySpain
23 MayMonaco
30 MayTurkey
13 JuneCanada *
27 JuneEurope (Valencia)
11 JulyGreat Britain
25 JulyGermany
1 AugustHungary
29 AugustBelgium
12 SeptemberItaly
26 SeptemberSingapore
3 OctoberJapan
17 OctoberKorea
31 OctoberAbu Dhabi
14 NovemberBrazil

*Subject to the completion of contract negotiations with Formula One Management. If these are not completed then the Turkish Grand Prix will be moved to 6 June.

The race in Australia will start at 1700 local time, in Malaysia at 1600 local time, in Singapore at 2000 local time, and in Abu Dhabi at 1700 local time.

2009 Formula One World Championship Calendar:

29 MarchAustralia
5 AprilMalaysia
19 AprilChina
26 AprilBahrain
10 MaySpain
24 MayMonaco
7 JuneTurkey
21 JuneGreat Britain
12 JulyGermany
26 JulyHungary
23 AugustEurope (Valencia)
30 AugustBelgium
13 September Italy
27 SeptemberSingapore
4 OctoberJapan
18 OctoberBrazil
1 NovemberAbu Dhabi