2016 F1 calendar announced

The FIA have confirmed a 21-race calendar for the 2016 Formula One season. The World Motor Sport Council meeting on Wednesday required the maximum number of races, as written in the sporting regulations, to be increased from 20 to 21.

The biggest changes from this year’s calendar are the introduction of Baku for the European Grand Prix and the return of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. Other changes include brining Russia forward from October to May, and pushing Malaysia from March to October.

The provisional calendar was set to create a more condensed season, but the opening round in Australia is only a week later than it was this year, and the finale in Abu Dhabi remains at the end of November.

The calendar does, however, feature six back-to-back events: Canada and Baku, Austria and Great Britain, Hungary and Germany, Belgium and Italy, Malaysia and Japan, and USA and Mexico.

The US Grand Prix’s date is still provisional, in light on recent financial concerns for the circuit, and Baku’s race start time is yet to be confirmed as the event organisers attempt to avoid a clash with the Le Mans 24 Hour.

2016 F1 Calendar

March 20 - Australia April 3 - Bahrain April 17 - China May 1 - Sochi May 15 - Spain May 29 - Monaco June 12 - Canada June 19 - Baku July 3 - Austria July 10 - Great Britain July 24 - Hungary July 31 - Germany August 28 - Belgium September 4 - Italy September 18 - Singapore October 2 - Malaysia October 9 - Japan October 23 - USA October 30 - Mexico November 13 - Brazil November 27 - Abu Dhabi

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