The 2012 GP3 Series provisional calendar revealed

UPDATE GP3 organizers have confirmed they are working on adding the series to the Monaco Grand Prix support bill for the first time next year. The series revealed its 2012 calendar on Friday afternoon, including support events at seven of the European grands prix. That number will rise to eight is plans to race in Monaco are successful.

12/16/11 The GP3 Series has today unveiled its provisional 2012 race calendar. Seven rounds have been confirmed for the season, with an eighth race weekend in Monaco still awaiting approval. All of the events will support the Formula One World Championship, and will run alongside big sister series GP2.

The Series will kick off its third season in Barcelona, Spain on 11-13 May when the Formula One European campaign kicks off. Our ten teams, including newcomers Trident Racing, will then head to Monte Carlo (tbc) on 24-27 May. After a three week hiatus GP3 will then return to action in Valencia for Round 3 of the Series on 22-24 June. Once again July is the busiest month of the season with three rounds in Silverstone, Hockenheim and Budapest before a month long summer break. Spa-Francorchamps is the setting for the penultimate round, and the season will conclude at historical Autodromo di Monza in Italy on 10-11 September.

GP3 Series CEO Bruno Michel commented: “Once again we are very pleased to confirm that the 2012 GP3 season will run alongside Formula One and GP2 in Europe. In such a competitive environment, it is key for young drivers to gain race experience on current Formula One tracks. To see GP3 race in the streets of Monte Carlo would be a fantastic opportunity, and we are working hard to make this happen. We are currently waiting for confirmation from ASN.

“The first two seasons of GP3 have delivered some great racing and have showcased promising talents starting with champions Esteban Gutierrez and Valtteri Bottas, both of whom have already been signed up by F1 teams as reserve drivers. Eleven drivers so far have graduated to GP2 which reaffirms our commitment to preparing young racers for the next step in their careers. Our young Series is getting stronger each year and we are expecting 2012 to be just as successful and exciting."

A total of six pre-season test days will be held firstly in Estoril on 21st-22nd February, followed by Barcelona on 12th-13th March and finally Silverstone on 11th-12th April. There will also be one mid-season test at the Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia on 14th-15th June.

2012 GP3 Series calendar of events:

*Subject to approval from ASN