Unchanged Calendar for 2012

The US and Bahrain Grands Prix are still provisionally on next season's calendar, despite continuing unrest in the Gulf State and Ecclestone's threats to drop the US race, following disputes over the licence fee.

US and Bahrain Grands Prix Remain in Unchanged Calendar

Insiders predict that if the civil unrest continues, the Bahrain race could yet be cancelled again. A bomb exploded outside the British embassy just last week. If this happens, the Istanbul GP may be brought back for the season.

Ecclestone is also reported to have agreed a new commercial deal with a new promoter for the Austin race, for a substantially higher fee than originally agreed.

There are also continuing doubts about the South Korea GP. Ecclestone was unhappy with this year's event and the promoters are trying to negotiate a reduced fee. For now, it is still on the calendar.

In other news, the FIA have confirmed the new exhaust rules for next season, which stipulate they must exit from the upper rear bodywork. Off-throttle exhaust blowing is also outlawed.

- A single 3-day test has been introduced during the season.
- The maximum duration of a grand prix, in the event of a race being suspended after the start, has been reduced from 8 hours to 4, although the maximum racing time remains at 2 hours.
- Lapped cars are now allowed to un-lap themselves when the safety car is deployed.
- Taking short-cuts during practice or qualifying, for any reason, will be illegal

The US Grand Prix is still a major doubt and I can't see it happening. If Bahrain is still not safe and we have to go to Turkey then in my opinion its a win/win for everybody.

Lapped cars are now allowed to un-lap themselves.....about time too. The amount of times that Vettel had a Virgin or Trulli's lotus behind him at a restart with the second placed driver three or four cars back was flawed and just let Vettel drive away. Also taking short cuts for any reason regardless of the session should be punished. I'm not intentionally targetting Vettel but his 'corner cutting' in Australia overtaking a back-marker, his fastest lap in Hungary where he completely missed the chicane and set a lap time a whole second faster than his previous best during the race to the astonishment of Brundle went unpunished. I also remember his clear and undoubted corner cutting at turn 5 in Korea, so he could make it back in time for another run in q3, which resulted in him grabbing pole!

Yep lets leave the US and certainly the Bahrain GP out of the calander, Turkey isnt one of my favs but its not a bad track and better than those two.

Also agree with the corner cutting as it did impact the session adn the race. Vettel wouldnt have made it back to the pits and the race result could certainly have been changed if Vettel wasnt then on pole due to failing to do a final lap.

Having the Barhrain GP is there is a disgrace, not only for the fact they go round killing their only people but for the fact no one whats it there and its a rubbish track. I suppose money talks though

Thats the problem, its all about who can write the biggest cheque.

Hence why bernie is scrapping some of the european races - there's no new money to be made.

Bahrain GP total joke, all the teams should refuse to race there