Bahrain will be the opening Grand Prix [ Images ] in a 19-race Formula One championship next year, local organisers said on Wednesday.

The Gulf Kingdom will start the season on March 12, with Malaysia following a week later on March 19 and then Australia [ Images ] on April 2.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity for us to showcase our organisational and technical abilities on the world's most prestigious motorsport stage," said Bahrain International Circuit general manager Martin Whitaker in a statement.

The Australian Grand Prix has been the season-opener since 1996 but has been pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games [ Images ] in Melbourne [ Images ].