Official calendar confirmed

Season finale: Abu Dhabi

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The official calendar for the 2010 Formula One season has been confirmed with Abu Dhabi once more hosting the final round after swapping with Brazil.

Brazil was earmarked for the honour on the provisional calendar but organisers at the Yas Marina circuit have successfully negotiated a swap with counterparts at Interlagos.

The change, ratified by a meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Monaco on Friday, does mean however that the races are now back to back, with Brazil on November 7 and Abu Dhabi on November 14.

Canada returns after a one-year absence, and carries with it a noon start local time, while Britain has its July 11 slot following the deal between Silverstone and Bernie Ecclestone that was announced on Monday.

Meanwhile, Korea is set to make its F1 debut on October 24 dependent on the circuit currently being built in Yeongam, 220 miles south of Seoul, passing an FIA inspection.

Kevin Lee, general manager of the circuit's strategic planning department, said: "It is totally on plan.

"We have a plan to finish the whole construction work at the circuit on July 5 next year, and up until now it is roughly 60 per cent done."

New points system

The FIA has also ratified the recommendation made by the Formula One Commission to alter the sport's points format, with the top 10 finishers now scoring points.

Starting next year, the winner will claim 25 points, runner up 20, third place 15, fourth place 10, fifth place will take eight, and then sixth to 10th will earn six, five, three, two and one point respectively.

That is in contrast to the system that had been in place since 2003 whereby the top eight won points on a 10, eight, six, five, four, three, two, one basis respectively.

The WMSC have also decided that each grand prix will henceforth have a permanent panel of stewards - a system which will include former Formula One drivers.

It is hoped the move will result in a greater degree of consistency with regard to decisions at each race.

Three stewards will continue to be present at every race, but with the trio to be selected from a permanent group, in conjunction with the ex-drivers.

It is envisaged the permanent pool of stewards will number around eight to 10, with two or three drivers in addition to those.

Discussions are currently taking place between the FIA and a handful of drivers presently being looked at for the position.

The role of Alan Donnelly as chief steward and non-voting chairman has also been dispensed with, and instead each group of stewards will elect their own chairman amongst themselves for each race.

The WMSC have urged the stewards to continue to utilise video and radio exchanges in order "to reach decisions very efficiently".

2010 FIA Formula One World Championship:
Mar 14 - Bahrain (Sakhir)
Mar 28 - Australia (Melbourne, starting at 1700 local time)
Apr 4 - Malaysia (Sepang, starting at 1600 local time)
Apr 18 - China (Shanghai)
May 9 - Spain (Barcelona)
May 16 - Monaco (Monte Carlo)
May 30 - Turkey (Istanbul)
Jun 13 - Canada (Montreal, starting at 1200 local time)
Jun 27 - Europe (Valencia)
Jul 11 - Great Britain (Silverstone)
Jul 25 - Germany (Hockenheim)Aug 1 - Hungary (Budapest)
Aug 29 - Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
Sep 12 - Italy (Monza)
Sep 26 - Singapore (starting at 2000 local time)
Oct 10 - Japan (Suzuka, starting at 1500 local time)
Oct 24 - South Korea (Yeongam)*
Nov 7 - Brazil (Interlagos)
Nov 14 - Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina, starting at 1700 local time)
*Subject to the homologation of the circuit