The race at Zolder will take Pau's place on the calendar after the French street circuit was unable to confirm its deal with the WTCC in time, while the new Algarve circuit is introduced with the possibility of alternating with Porto, which is only able to host a race every two years.

The Italian and Spanish rounds of the series will switch places in the schedule, with Valencia sliding back to September and what is expected to be Imola - although the venue is still to be confirmed - moving up to May.

The proposed race in Russia will not happen before the 2011 season, as prospective organisers of a race in the country were unable to put a deal together in time for 2010.

The calendar was approved by today's FIA World Council meeting.

Current tyre supplier Yokohama has also won the tender to continue to provide the series' control tyre from 2010 to 2012.

2010 WTCC calendar
Curitiba        March 7
Puebla          April 11
Marrakech       May 16
TBA (Italy)     May 30
Zolder          June 20
Algarve         July 4
Brands          July 18
Brno            August 1
Oschersleben    September 5
Valencia        September 19
Okayama         October 31
Macau           November 21

Albufeira Car Hire