FIA unveils the 2012 calendar

The FIA released the 2012 Formula 1 calendar on Friday confirming the longest ever season in the sport's history.
The schedule marks the return of the United States Grand Prix for the first time since 2007 in June and is the only addition to the year. It is clubbed with the only other race in North America, the Canadian Grand Prix.
The season will start with in Bahrain and will move to Melbourne in the following week, as one of the six back-to-back events of the year.
The Korean GP, its second installation, has been moved towards the first half of the season.
The Turkish Grand Prix is subject to confirmation and the Indian GP is scheduled for Oct. 28.
Here's the full list:

Date	Grand Prix
11/03	Bahrain
18/03	Australia
01/04	Malaysia
08/04	China
22/04	Korea
06/05	Turkey
20/05	Spain
27/05	Monaco
10/06	Canada
17/06	United States
01/07	Valencia
15/07	Britain
29/07	Germany
05/08	Hungary
02/09	Belgium
09/09	Italy
30/09	Singapore
14/10	Japan
28/10	India
11/11	Abu Dhabi
25/11	Brazil

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Indian F1 circuit logo unveiled and ticket details

Buddh Indian Grand Prix Circuit Logo

The official logo of the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) which will be hosting the inaugural Indian GP coming October has been unveiled. The circuit, named after its location in Gautam Budh Nagar in Greater Noida, is nearing completion at rapid rate and looks all set to be in shape for its designated FIA homologation date of June 30th. The stylised B logo representing ‘Bharat’ (India) proudly wears the colours of the Indian tricolour, simultaneously resembling the shape of a heart. The 5.14-km Herman Tilke-designed layout looks promising as the BIC will be the first Formula One circuit to conform to the latest set of FIA guidelines to promote closer racing by providing ample opportunities for overtaking.

Prices will range from INR 2,500 for the grassy lawns to INR 5,000 to other regular stands around the circuit. To watch the race from main grandstand however, you will need to shell out a pricey INR 25 thousand for a weekend worth of F1 action.

Also, the F1 circuit has a total capacity of 1,25,000 seats spread across the circuit with the grand stand alone big enough for 25,000 motorsport fans. All said, we’re still in the dark as to when exactly bookings for the tickets will open on BookMyShow.

India will host its first ever Formula 1 event in the month of October (28th to 30th) with Sunday’s race scheduled tentatively at 1500 GMT local time.

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2011 Indian Formula1 Grand Prix Ticket Prices may start at INR 5000

2011 Indian Formula Grand Prix Circuit

There is some buzz about the possible cost of the Indian Formula1 Grand Prix tickets from none other than Autocar India Editor, Mr Hormazd Sorabjee, who tweeted saying that the cost of the Indian Grand Prix Tickets, could range from INR 5,000 at the lowest to INR 30,000 for the Grand Stand Tickets. The F1 race will be held at the yet to be unveiled Buddha F1 Circuit, off Delhi.

Now, while these prices still are tentative ones, they don’t seem to be good value, especially considering the fact that Grand Stand tickets cost INR 30,000 which is a lot of money, especially for Motorsport event in a country like India, which is yet to warm up to motorsports in a big way, as say cricket.

Also the INR 5,000 cost for normal tickets also appears quite pricey which will make it out of reach of most young people, who cannot afford that kind of money except the richer, well heeled youngsters. What could tilt the scales slightly towards the positive is if the money can buy entry for all three days of the 2011 Indian Formula1 Grand Prix.

Even so, hotel room prices in and around Delhi, which could get exorbitant at the time of the Grand Prix will make the spectacle all the more expensive.  Comparing those prices to the 2011 Singapore F1 Grand Prix, the price of the Indian Grand Stand tickets seem to be higher by 20%. Coming to the case of the cheapest priced tickets which at INR 5,000 is cheaper than that of the Walkabout Tickets of the Singapore Grand Prix which costs SGD 178 or INR 6,300.

Source-indiancarbikes

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Robert Kubica crash update: Doctors say, He will walk on his feet in next 3 weeks

ROBERT KUBICA

After the horrific crash at a rally event in Italy which left a question mark on, if Robert Kubica will ever be able to race again, the Polish Formula 1 driver has been recovering as his medical condition continues to improve. Kubica is currently under observation at Santa Corona hospital. Medical staff at the hospital have revealed that Kubica will be able to walk on his own feet in 3 weeks time.

However, this doesn’t mean that the F1 ace will be able to jump behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. He is still recuperating from multiple fractures which will take time to heal.

Last week or so, Kubica underwent a surgery for his elbow which was the fourth since he was admitted at the hospital. Doctors are still unsure as to when Kubica could return to racing and that it would be impossible to figure out a timeline for the driver’s return to action, according to Lotus Renault’s team doctor, Riccardo Ceccarelli.

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Barcelona Will Host Bahrain's F1 Test session

Barcelona's Catalunya circuit is ready to serve as a substitute venue for Formula 1's final test session of the season if Bahrain is unable to host because of anti-government unrest.
Circuit director Salvador Servia says the track would be available to hold the March 3-6 event after the Formula One Teams Association asked about a potential switch.The protests also cast doubt over the season-opening race on March 13 at the same circuit. FOTA general secretary Simone Perillo says teams were meeting at the circuit on Friday "to consider the situation."

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Narain karthikeyan Back In F1 for 2011 season..

Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula 1 driver, popularly known as the fastest Indian in the world has given Indian motorsport fans a big reason to cheer.Narain is back in Formula 1 after a five year hiatus and is all charged up to compete at the pinnacle of world motor sport. 

Narain will make his F1 comeback with the Hispania Racing Team (HRT) as a race driver for the 2011 Formula 1 season and is looking forward to fulfilling his dream of being an Indian driver on the grid of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.  This will be a historic moment for Indian motor sport and an elated Narain said. “I have worked really hard to come back to F1 and it will be a dream come true to race in front of the home crowd in our country’s debut Grand Prix. I hope that the Indian public will spur me on with their blessings and good wishes."

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Raikkonen commits to WRC

Kimi Raikkonen’s team management has reportedly confirmed that he does not want to return to Formula 1 next year and wishes to stay with the World Rally Championship in 2011.

"We're no longer looking at opportunities in F1. Kimi seems to be focused on rallying at the moment," said Steve Robertson speaking to Finnish television station MTV3 as quoted on Autosport.

Robertson also clarified that currently the former Ferrari driver is focussed on rally and refused to rule out a return to F1 in the future. "Never say never, but right now our eye is not on F1.

"Nothing's been decided yet [for the WRC]. We'll let you know when there is something to say. At the moment nothing has been signed. We're talking to several teams," added Robertson.

Meanwhile, Citroen appears to be keen on finding a solution to keep the Finn in its Junior team with the former F1 champion agreeing to a personal sponsorship deal from Red Bull, which seems to be worth a lot less than the £5 million that he supposedly received from the Austrian outfit.

Besides Citroen, Mini could also be an option for the 31-year-old but with the limitations for the 2011 events and the extensive car development programme this could not be viable.

Another opportunity could be with the American outfit Monster Ford to race alongside Ken Block, however the teams seems to be struggling with finances.

The best choice for Raikkonen would be to take a break for a season from the rigours of the racing world and return with a bang in 2012 with some more manufacturers taking interest in all likelihood.

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Massa counts on Ferrari

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa says that he is confident that he can rely on the team to show their full support despite his poor outings in the last couple of races and is ready to put that behind him starting with next weekend’s Korean Grand Prix.

“Even though I am going through a particularly difficult time right now with a lack of results in the last couple of races, I know I can count on the support of the team, who have always been behind me one hundred percent, especially in the difficult times,” said the Brazilian on the team’s website.

“I was very pleased to read what our President [Luca di] Montezemolo said after the Japanese Grand Prix.

"Knowing he has faith in me is something I truly appreciate: he has an excellent understanding of the sport and he knows that you can sometimes go through tough times. The fact his support is always there is very important,” added the 29-year-old.

“My desire to do as well as possible for me and for the team is the same as ever and that has been my approach to the sport ever since I started in Formula 1.

"You have to maintain a positive approach, especially as the team is locked into a very tough fight with two goals in mind, even if the situation in the Constructors’ championship has become very difficult. Everyone must put in 110 per cent effort in order to succeed and that is definitely what I’ll be doing for the remaining weeks of the season," Massa explained.

The Brazilian is sixth in the overall standings, 92 points behind leader Mark Webber and with three races and 75 points on offer is out of the title battle. On the other hand his teammate Fernando Alonso is second in the standings with 206 points and would require adequate support from the Brazilian to secure his third driver’s title.

In the Constrcutors’ challenge Ferrari are third in the overall standings, 92 points behind leaders Red Bull. They are mathematically still in contention but it would take a brave man to bet on the Prancing Horse to clinch the title and it looks like the Milton-Keynes based outfit have this one in the bag.

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