INDIA IS TO hold its first-ever Grand Prix next season, the FIA announced today.

Formula One is to expand to twenty races next season- with India hosting the eighteenth.

The circuit is being built near New Delhi and must pass an inspection by the FIA before the Grand Prix is fully confirmed.

The FIA also announced that it has rejected a number of applications for the sport’s thirteenth license for a team. Applications were received from Basque team Epsilon Euskadi and a joint venture involving Jacques Villeneuve and Italian constructor Durango.

“Following the press release of 19 March 2010 calling for expressions of interest to participate in the 2011 and 2012 seasons of the FIA Formula One World Championship, a number of interested parties expressed their interest,” an FIA statement read.

“It was considered that none of the candidates met the requirements to be granted an entry into the Championship.

“Consequently, the allocation of the 13th team will not be granted.”