Bernie Ecclestone, head of Formula One's commercial rights holders Formula One Management, has told the sport's governing body the FIA that an Indian Grand Prix will be added to the calendar in 2011. The 79-year-old told the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain at their monthly meeting today, although the race was originally scheduled to debut on the calendar in 2010 when it was first announced.

Ecclestone's confirmation brings to 20 the number of races penciled in for 2011, although the future of some current races has not yet been rubber-stamped. Such races include the Turkish Grand Prix.

Also confirmed at today's meeting of the WMSC was the re-opening of the team selection process for 2011 to find a replacement for USF1 following approval from the council, a move that first announced last Wednesday following the team's official withdrawal ([url=http://www.manipef1.com/news/articles/10606/]story here[/url). However, having forfeit their entry for 2010, USF1 could face disciplinary action for breaching their agreement to compete.

“With regard to the USF1 team's non-participation in the 2010 championship, the World Council mandated the FIA President ... to take forward the most appropriate action,” read an FIA statement. “The World Council approved the initiation of a new selection process for a potential 13th entry (and reserve entry) to the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship.”

Also confirmed was the awarding of an FIA Superlicense to rookie Karun Chanhok, enabling him to make his F1 debut this weekend at Sakhir, while seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher was announced as the drivers' representative on the Circuits' Commission.