FIA confirms 20 races for F1 2013

The FIA has confirmed that an additional race in Europe is to be added to the 2013 F1 calendar in a move which will see the title battle fought over 20 races.

The initial schedule published by the governing body back in September had featured 20 dates before the planned race in New Jersey was put back to 2014 at the earliest.

That looked set to leave 19 races on the calendar, but the FIA has now revised the schedule for 2013 at the latest meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

The revised schedule has seen the German Grand Prix moved forwards to 7 July - a week earlier than originally planned - in order to allow another race in European to be run on 21 July, a week before the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest.

"The date for the 2013 Grand Prix of Germany has been moved to 7 July," the governing body said, "and 21 July has been reserved for another F1 European event, subject to the approval of the relevant ASNs."

Where that race will be held remains to be seen, although Turkey is the hot favourite to take the vacant spot on the calendar.

Earlier this week, businessman Vural Ak said he was talking to Bernie Ecclestone about a return for the race having taken over the lease of the Istanbul Park circuit, with a decision expected from the commercial rights holder 'next week'.

2013 F1 calendar:

March 17 Australia
March 24 Malaysia
April 14 China
April 21 Bahrain
May 12 Spain
May 26 Monaco
June 9 Canada
June 30 Britain
July 7 Germany
July 21TBC - Additional European race
July 28 Hungary
August 25 Belgium
September 8 Italy
September 22 Singapore
October 6 Korea
October 13 Japan
October 27 India
November 3 Abu Dhabi
November 17 United States (Austin)
November 24 Brazil