12 rounds will make up the 2010 Superleague Formula by Sonangol season, it can be revealed today, with a host of new countries and venues added to the calendar.
Next season’s fixtures represent a 100% increase compared to 2009 in line with the series’ four year plan set out before the very first Superleague Formula race in 2008. For the first time, three countries welcome multiple races – Britain and Belgium two apiece with Spain hosting three. In addition, the series welcomes seven new circuits to the schedule.
Importantly, 2010 will also witness the first race to take place outside of Europe when the championship visits Istanbul Park, Turkey, located to the east of the Bosporus in Asia.
The season kicks off at a new-to-Superleague venue, Silverstone, on April 3/4 in what is the first of two UK rounds scheduled, while the expanded calendar means that the championship will start nearly three months earlier than this year.
Another exciting new circuit lies in wait for the teams and drivers in early May when they travel to Istanbul Park in what will be the series’ first foray outside of Europe. A fortnight later and it’s on to Assen in Holland, before travelling to 2009’s season curtain raiser, Magny-Cours in France, the following weekend.
Spain’s Jarama lies in wait three weeks later before returning to the familiar surroundings of Zolder, back for a third straight year, in early July. Brands Hatch replaces Donington Park in the first week of August before a well-deserved month-long break is followed up with a trip to Adria in Italy on September 4/5. Estoril’s date meanwhile is moved back two weeks to the 18/19 before perhaps the greatest test of all – the legendary Spa-Francorchamps – at the beginning of October.
Valencia’s Circuit de Ricardo Tormo makes up the penultimate round before Superleague Formula returns to Jerez, last visited in 2008, for the season finale on November 13/14.
Superleague Formula CEO Alex Andreu said: “Next year’s calendar marks an exciting development in Superleague Formula’s history. Thanks to the worldwide economic climate, we had to rein in our ambitions for this season, hence just the six rounds. It was always our intention to have 12 by year three however which I’m very pleased to say we’ve achieved. If the racing is half as good as this season, I’m certain we’ll be in for a fantastic 2010!”
This season’s epic championship battle between Liverpool and Tottenham will be decided at the final round in Jarama, Spain on November 7/8.
Provisional 2010 Calendar:
April 3/4: Silverstone (UK)
May 1/2: Istanbul Park (TUR)
May 15/16: Assen (HOL)
May 22/23: Magny-Cours (FRA)
June 12/13: Jarama (ESP)
July 3/4: Zolder (BEL)
July 31 – Aug 1: Brands Hatch (UK)
Sept 4/5: Adria Raceway (ITA)
Sept 18/19: Estoril (POR)
Oct 2/3: Spa-Francorchamps (BEL)
Oct 23/24: Valencia (ESP)
Nov 13/14 Jerez (ESP)
