South Korea returns to F1 calendar, double points scrapped

South Korea's Formula One grand prix has been reinstated provisionally on a record 21-race calendar for 2015 while double points have been scrapped for the final round in Abu Dhabi, the sport's governing body said.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) listed the Korean race as the fifth round of the season on May 3, with the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona scheduled for the following weekend.

The tight turnaround, and teams' previous reluctance to have more than 20 races, immediately raised doubts about the likelihood of the Korean race happening however.

The season will start in Australia on March 15.

Mexico will also return to the calendar after a 23-year absence, with a race scheduled for Nov. 1 in Mexico City.

China becomes the third race of the season on April 12, taking the slot initially assigned to Bahrain on a previous draft calendar. Bahrain is now pushed back to April 19.

Changes to the sporting regulations included the decision to abandon the controversial experiment with double points introduced this year.

The format was unpopular with fans and risked making a mockery of the season, with eventual champion Lewis Hamilton in danger of losing out to Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg despite winning 10 races compared to the German's five.

A plan to introduced standing re-starts after the introduction of a safety car was also jettisoned after teams raised safety concerns.

However a 'virtual safety car' system was agreed.

"It will normally be used when double waved yellow flags are needed on any section of track and competitors or officials may be in danger, but the circumstances are not such as to warrant use of the safety car itself," the FIA said.