2013 GP3 Series Calendar revealed

GP3 Series organizers have today unveiled the provisional 2013 calendar which will be made of eight rounds in total. Seven rounds have been confirmed for the season which will run alongside the Formula 1 World Championship, with an eighth standalone race weekend mid-June (venue to be announced at a later date). The calendar features an exciting new venue for GP3 with Abu Dhabi hosting the final race of the season.

The Series will kick off its fourth season in Barcelona, Spain on 10-12 May with the brand new GP3/13 car. The eagerly anticipated second-generation machine will make its debut as the Formula 1 season commences its European campaign. The GP3 standalone event (TBA) will follow on 15-16 June before the paddock then travels to Silverstone, Nurburg and Budapest before the annual summer break.

GP3 will return to action on 23-25 August at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit with Monza the setting for the penultimate race weekend. The magnificent Abu Dhabi will set the scene for the season finale on 01-03 November.

A total of nine pre-season test days will be held: firstly in Estoril on 20th-22nd February, followed by Barcelona on 12th-13th March and finally Silverstone on 3rd-4th April. There will also be one mid-season test at the Hungaroring in Budapest on 5th-6th June.

GP3 Series CEO Bruno Michel commented: "Since the Series’ inception, the calendar has always consisted of eight race weekends and it will be the case again in 2013. Seven of them will be held during a Formula One Grand Prix which is a fantastic opportunity for all our young drivers. The fact that the season will end in Abu Dhabi marks GP3 history with the first race weekend that will take place outside of Europe. It moves the Series in yet another positive direction. It will be a thrilling challenge to the drivers as well as providing a spectacular conclusion for the fans at the Yas Marina Circuit."