Valencia questions date on leaked 2011 calendar

Valencia Bridge

(GMM) The organizers of the European grand prix at Valencia have questioned the accuracy of a leaked draft of next year's formula one race calendar.

After Hungary, an unofficial 20-race calendar was published by a German outlet, showing the Valencia street event scheduled for late August.

But after a late August date in 2009, organizers Valmor Sport had successfully lobbied for a change to late July for this season.

The lower ambient temperatures and the avoidance of clashes with Spanish holidays were credited for the higher ticket sales.

"The change of date is helping the ticket sales," F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone admitted.

The provisional 28 August race date for 2011 has therefore surprised Valmor.

According to EFE news agency, sources at the Valencia company are questioning the accuracy of the leaked calendar, insisting that "although it is not yet official, we believe it (the race) will stay in June".

Valmor Sport said it will wait for an official schedule published by the FIA before commenting.

The sources added: "After conversations we had with Ecclestone and the FIA during the grand prix and thereafter, the idea is that next year (the race) will also be on a similar date in June."

The FIA is likely to publish an official provisional calendar after September's meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.