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Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeledauto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body. The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and vehicles must conform. The F1 World Championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets.
The first Grand Prix was held in 1950 at Silverstone; since then 68 circuits have hosted a Grand Prix. Circuits such as the Nürburgring have hosted Grands Prix using different configurations. The first race at the circuit used the 22 kilometres (14 mi) circuit, but concerns over safety meant that more recent Grands Prix have used a shorter, safer circuit. F1 circuits were predominately in Europe during the early years of the championship, as the sport has expanded so has the location of its circuits. New circuits have been used in Asia and America, the change has been a recent occurrence. Of the 20 circuits that will host a Grand Prix in 2012, nearly half were not on the calendar before 1999.