Superleague Formula 2011 calendar announced
The biggest development concerns three additional flyaway events which, although yet to be confirmed, will build on the series' first non-European rounds staged in China last October.
Indeed, Superleague Formula will return to Asia for races at the Ordos International Circuit and in Beijing, both of which move forward in the year to accommodate the trio of brand-new events.
The first half of 2011 remains very much a European affair with Italy's historical Monza, last visited in 2009, kicking off the year in mid-April, before moving on to picturesque Portimao in Portugal three weeks later.
Early June sees Assen (Holland) take centre stage in what will be the first of four familiar rounds in just seven weeks; the Nurburgring is again home to Germany's event, Navarra (Spain) moves from the season finale to early July while Zolder (Belgium) keeps its number six slot mid-campaign.
Britain's round at the revamped Donington Park is another of the returning circuits after it missed out in 2010, before teams and drivers enjoy a five-week summer break ahead of the trans-continental season.
September will be given over entirely to the Asian double-header after which two further rounds remain penciled in for October, before the 12th and final event of 2011 in November.
As in 2010, all 12 rounds will include two feature races and a Super Final in which a total of €3.36 million will be won throughout the year. An additional €1 million, €500,000 and €250,000 will be awarded to the championship's final top three.
Superleague Formula Competitions Director Robin Webb said: "Having successfully doubled our number of rounds last year, we believe a 12-event calendar – which don't forget comprises 36 races in total – is the perfect number to stick with moving forward. The Chinese rounds taught us a lot this year so I think Superleague Formula's fourth season of competition is the right time to be visiting more countries further afield and introducing the series to new fans and markets. The combination of seven European and five flyaway events is the perfect ratio."
2011 Superleague Formula calendar (provisional)
Round 1: Italy / Autodromo di Monza / April 16/17
Round 2: Portugal / Aut¢dromo do Algarve / May 7/8
Round 3: Holland / Circuit TT Assen / June 4/5
Round 4: Germany / Nürburgring / June 18/19
Round 5: Spain / Circuito de Navarra / July 2/3
Round 6: Belgium / Circuit Zolder / July 16/17
Round 7: UK / Donington Park / August 6/7
Round 8: China / Ordos International Circuit / September 10/11
Round 9: China / Beijing International Street Circuit / September 17/18
Round 10: TBC / Non-European / October
Round 11: TBC / Non-European / October
Round 12: TBC / Non-European / November