Indian Grand Prix to be held in December

The inaugural Indian Grand Prix, which was earlier scheduled to be held on October 30, will now be staged in December as the season-ending race, the world governing body of Formula One said on Friday.

The Bahrain Grand Prix, originally the season opening race but cancelled due to political turmoil in that country, will now be held on October 30.

"The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on 30 October, replacing the Indian Grand Prix, which will now become the final round of the 2011 Championship, combined with the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize-Giving Gala," FIA said in a statement.

The decision came after a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Barcelona, Spain on Friday.

An FIA delegation visited Bahrain on May 31 and after taking stock of the situation decided to re-instate the race in Manama.

"After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders' concerns, the WMSC unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship," the statement said.

The new dates for the Indian Grand Prix, to be held at Buddh International Circuit at Greater Noida, are yet to be decided.