Defiant F1 ignores race fears

Formula One launched next season's schedule today despite doubts over the grands prix in Bahrain and America.

Last season's race in Bahrain, due to be in February, was cancelled as a result of pro-democracy protests and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone abandoned plans to reschedule it for October.

The grand prix at Sakhir has been approved as the fourth of next season's 20-race calendar on April 22. Work on the new Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas - due to host the US Grand Prix for a decade - has been halted over a contract row.

But the race has been included in the calendar as the penultimate GP of the season on November 18 and is set to be joined the following season by a grand prix in New Jersey.