The GP2 calendar will include a round in Abu Dhabi in 2013 but fall from 24 races to 22, the series organisers have confirmed.
The reduction in races comes as the European Grand Prix, where GP2 runs as a support race, will be dropped.
A round is slated to take place at the Nurburgring on the weekend of 6th-7th July, when F1’s yet-to-be-confirmed German Grand Prix is set to take place.
GP2 will support 11 rounds on the 2013 F1 calendar. Unlike last year there will be no standalone double-header in Bahrain, though the series will race there during the F1 race weekend.
The restoration of the Abu Dhabi races means there is a six-week gap between the Singapore double-header and the final two races at Yas Marina Circuit.
An Abu Dhabi round was last part of the GP2 calendar in 2010. A one-off ‘GP2 Final’ was held at the track in 2011.
Pre-season testing will take place at Jerez and the Circuit de Catalunya in February and March respectively.
2013 GP2 calendar
Date | Circuit | |
---|---|---|
1 | 22nd-24th March | Sepang International Circuit |
2 | 19th-21st April | Bahrain International Circuit |
3 | 10th-12th May | Circuit de Catalunya |
4 | 23rd-25th May | Monte-Carlo |
5 | 28th-30th June | Silverstone |
6 | 5th-7th July | Nurburgring |
7 | 26th-28th July | Hungaroring |
8 | 23rd-25th August | Spa-Francorchamps |
9 | 6th-8th September | Monza |
10 | 20th-22nd September | Singapore |
11 | 1st-3rd November | Yas Marina |
Image © Daniel Kalisz/GP2
Bosley (@)
19th December 2012, 9:35
1 less round than last year? Seems a bit odd to drop a race after a long season.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
19th December 2012, 10:38
It’s because Valencia was removed from the Formula 1 calendar.
Bosley (@)
19th December 2012, 13:14
I was more referring to the lack of a second Bahrain round but i guess that makes sense.
Mike (@mike)
19th December 2012, 10:21
Not quite understanding the distinction of 2011’s Yas Marina race as a one off…
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
19th December 2012, 10:43
It was a one-off non-championship round that was created when it was announced that GP2 Asia would be shut down. Abu Dhabi wasn’t on the 2012 calendar, but after the experiment of having two rounds in Bahrain failed, one of the four flyaway spots became available. Abu Dhabi evidently want back in.
GeeMac (@geemac)
19th December 2012, 10:57
I for one am glad to see Abu Dhabi back on the GP2 calendar, more to watch at next season’s GP. :)
Justin (@thejwooly)
19th December 2012, 11:38
Does anyone know if TV rights for GP2 are following F1 to NBC in the US next year? Or is it staying on SPEED?
andae23 (@andae23)
19th December 2012, 13:06
GP3 announced there calendar too.
They too will race at Abu Dhabi, but will skip all the remaining Asian rounds. Also, Monaco is missing :(
robk23 (@robk23)
19th December 2012, 13:32
Well I suppose it does away with some of the logistical problems of Monaco but adds the cost of flying everything out to Abu Dhabi.
andae23 (@andae23)
19th December 2012, 19:34
Also this this forum topic
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
20th December 2012, 22:30
That seems rather odd, perhaps the awkward practice schedule has an effect on that? Otherwise I don’t see why Monaco would be dropped – after all it is the jewel in the motor racing crown.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
20th December 2012, 22:48
Yes, GP3 practice was running at stupid o’clock in the mornings at Monaco. Presumably they’re still doing both GP2 and Renault 3.5 there and it’s been decided there just isn’t time and space for GP3 as well. A shame for the drivers.
trublu (@trublu)
19th December 2012, 17:17
Why aren’t the GP2 races the same weekend as the F1 races? I’d rather watch GP2 instead of some of the F1 support races.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
19th December 2012, 17:27
@trublu
They are.
trublu (@trublu)
19th December 2012, 17:45
Ah, the tracks I’ve been to just weren’t on the GP2 calendar.
snowman.john (@snowman-john)
20th December 2012, 11:30
what do you think the chances of getting a 12th race in Turkey if it gets back on the F1 calendar are?