Fledgling junior racing category, GP3, released its 2011 calendar this week.
The Formula 1 support series will retain all eight of its 2010 rounds, with an event at Monte Carlo still to be confirmed. GP3 did not run on the famed Monaco Grand Prix weekend last year – in its place was the World Series by Renault race – but confirmation of GP3 would go quite a way to boosting the standing of the Championship.
Unlike last year, the Championship will kick off in the Turkish capital of Istanbul and will take in rounds at Barcelona, Valencia, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Budapest and Spa-Francorchamps, before ending the season at the legendary Monza circuit, just outside Milan.
Three tests will take place in the two months leading up to the season opener, starting with a two-day run at the Paul Ricard circuit in France on the 3rd and 4th of March. Silverstone will host a three day test from March 29-31, while a final pre-season showing is scheduled April 12-14 at Barcelona.
Mexican driver, Esteban Gutierrez won the inaugural GP3 series and is moving to GP2 as a result. He has also secured a reserve spot with Peter Sauber’s Formula 1 squad.
2011 GP3 Championship Calendar
| Date | Venue | |
| 3-4 March | Paul Ricard, France | Test |
| 29-30-31 March | Silverstone, Great Britain | Test |
| 12-13-14 April | Barcelona, Spain | Test |
| 7-8 May | Istanbul, Turkey | Race |
| 21-22 May | Barcelona, Spain | Race |
| 27-28 May* | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Race |
| 25-26 June | Valencia, Spain | Race |
| 9-10 July | Silverstone, Great Britain | Race |
| 23-24 July | Nurburgring, Germany | Race |
| 30-31 July | Budapest, Hungary | Race |
| 27-28 August | Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium | Race |
| 10-11 September | Monza, Italy | Race |
