Formula Two reveals F1-dominated 2012 calendar

Monza start

The FIA Formula Two Championship is delighted to announce its superb calendar for the 2012 season, which will once again be dominated by current Formula One circuits, including a maiden visit to the Hungaroring near Budapest in September.

Following a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council today (Wednesday 7 December), the calendar for the championship's fourth season was formally approved. The series will again be contested over eight double headers (16 races) – all taking place on current, former or testing F1 circuits.

As in 2011, the season will commence in April with a standalone event at Silverstone, home to the British Grand Prix. F2 will then begin its tour of Europe beginning with Portimão in Portugal, last visited by F2 in 2010 when Jolyon Palmer and Dean Stoneman shared the spoils.

From there the series continues on to Germany and the Nurburgring at the end of May, followed by the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. Brands Hatch's iconic Grand Prix circuit will then play host to F2 for a fourth consecutive year in July before the series returns overseas to France one week later, with a maiden visit to the Paul Ricard circuit, a venue with close ties to F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone.

F2 will then visit Budapest's Hungaroring for the first time in its modern era, before the championship concludes with its season finale in Monza, Italy.

Formula Two Series Director Jonathan Palmer praised the new calendar commenting: "After three very successful seasons of the FIA Formula Two Championship, our 2012 calendar is based around Grand Prix circuits, which our F1 focused drivers favor.

"F2 will continue to provide drivers with substantial track time and learning opportunity at each of these exceptional venues. No other championship offers such an enticing combination of outstanding value, vehicle performance and the chance to race on so many F1 circuits."

2012 FIA Formula Two Championship Calendar:

13/14/15 April Silverstone, United Kingdom
27/28/29 April Algarve, Portugal
25/26/27 May Nürburgring, Germany
22/23/24 June Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
13/14/15 July Brands Hatch, United Kingdom
20/21/22 July Paul Ricard, France
7/8/9 Sept Hungaroring, Hungary*
28/29/30 Sept Monza, Italy