F2 announces 2012 calendar

The FIA Formula Two series has unveiled its 2012 calendar, with F1 circuits again dominating the schedule.

The championship will again kick off at British Grand Prix venue Silverstone before taking in trips to Portugal's Algarve circuit, the Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps. Brands Hatch, Paul Ricard and the Hungaroring follow before the season-closer at Monza.

In total five rounds are carried over from 2011, with the German, Belgian, Italian and both British events all remaining. France's round switches from Magny-Cours whilst Spain and Austria depart in favour of Portugal and Hungary.

Formula Two Series Director Jonathan Palmer commented: "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 favour.

"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."

Italy's Mirko Bortolotti took this year's crown - and the Williams F1 test prize - witha  round to spare, triumphing at his home race in Italy.

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 September Hungaroring, Hungary*
28/29/30 September Monza, Italy

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James Weeks