Superleague schedule grows for 2010

The football-themed series opens with its maiden appearance at Silverstone in April, nearly three months earlier in the year than its 2009 opener was held.

It retains all its '09 venues bar the troubled Donington Park, but still visits the UK twice with a date at Brands Hatch joining Silverstone on the schedule.

Superleague also makes its debut at Assen in Holland, and at Germany's Nurburgring and Oschersleben - although the Spa and Adria dates mooted on the provisional calendar last autumn did not make the final schedule.

The series' competition director Robin Webb is pleased with the balance of high-profile venues and circuits where Superleague has an established fanbase.

"Although we've had to make some changes in the last few weeks, I'm extremely happy with the new schedule," he said.

"There's a great mix of circuits with some existing and ex-F1 venues supplemented by regional tracks which are ideal given their location. Jarama's proximity to Madrid for instance allowed local Atletico fans the chance to come along and support their team this year, a factor which helped attract 30,000 people.

"With more established drivers also taking an interest in Superleague, I'm confident that 2010 will prove a vintage season."

The circuit and date for the final round of the championship has yet to be confirmed, but Webb hinted it would be outside Europe.

"We are still looking at one or two non-European rounds at the end of the year," he said. "We are getting offers from outside of Europe, and our two major targets are the Middle East and South America."

2010 Superleague Formula calendar:

Date          Circuit       Country
Apr 3/4       Silverstone   UK
May 15/16     Assen         Holland
May 22/23     Magny-Cours   France
Jun 19/20     Jarama        Spain
Jun 26/27     Nurburgring   Germany
Jul 3/4       Oschersleben  Germany
Jul 17/18     Zolder        Belgium
Jul 31/Aug 1  Brands Hatch  UK
Sep 18/19     Estoril       Portugal
Oct 2/3       Monza         Italy
Nov 13/14     Jerez         Spain
TBC           TBC           TBC