New and "Final" F1 calendar for 2012

September 1^st, 2011 (F1plus team).- it seemed like it was hard to come with a final decision, but at last we have it. After seven years, the Turkish Grand Prix has been removed from the Formula 1 calendar. The much anticipated news was confirmed on Wednesday as governing body the FIA issued a revised 20-race schedule for the 2012 season.

Turkey made its debut in 2005, with Kimi Räikkönen winning at the brand-new Istanbul Park for McLaren. Three years later, the race switched from its August slot to an earlier date in May and this year’s edition saw a Red Bull one-two for Vettel and Webber.

Istanbul Park and its Grand Prix has struggled to draw crowds since its inaugural race in and it has been in doubt for several months. Drivers and fans alike will probably miss the fabulous four apexes 8 turn.

The modified version of the calendar, as per a fax vote between members of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), sees the season start in Australia on 18 March before climaxing in Brazil on 25 November. With the British Grand Prix on 8 July, the returning United States event has been shifted to the penultimate slot on 18 November.

The new calendar shows six back-to back weekend races; Australia-Malaysia, China-Bahrain, Germany-Hungary, Belgium-Italy, India-Abu Dhabi and the closing with the United States-Brazil combo.

After being called off due to political unrest in 2011, the Bahrain Grand Prix will return from Sakhir on 22 April. Also, the summer break increases in length from three to four non-race weekends, meaning there will be no F1 event for the entire month of August.

See 2012 Formula 1 calendar: