Bahrain happy with swap

The Sakhir race was originally listed as the 2012 season opener on 11 March, before a revised schedule was mooted in which Bahrain moved to the penultimate calendar slot - giving the country's political situation further time to settle after the issues that forced the cancellation of the 2011 grand prix.

This version of the calendar saw India's second Formula 1 race scheduled for April - but the Indian organisers were concerned that the weather would be too hot at this time of year.

The final calendar, released on Wednesday, therefore sees India return to a late-October slot similar to its 2011 date, and Bahrain become round four on 22 April - a change that the Sakhir authorities said they were happy to accept.

"Following a request from the Indian Grand Prix organisers to FOM on a date change, the Bahrain International Circuit announced today that it welcomes the date switch with India to host the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on the 22nd of April 2012," said a statement from the Bahrain organisers.

"The announcement was declared after officials from the Indian Grand Prix organiser raised some concern to FOM in hosting the race in April.

"The Bahrain International Circuit has always worked in supporting the Formula 1 family and to do what is best for the sport. We look forward to welcoming back all the teams, drivers, organisers, and fans in 2012."