After meeting in Geneva today, the FIA’s World Motorsport Council has approved a 21-race Formula 1 calendar for 2018 that starts in Australia on March 25 and finishes in Abu Dhabi exactly 8 months later, on November 25.
France and Germany return on a calendar that is set to feature F1’s first triple header with the French, Austrian and British rounds taking place on consecutive weekends.
Please note: since this article was published, the Chinese and Bahrain Grands Prix have switched dates on the 2018 F1 calendar. The dates below are now correct, with the Bahrain GP taking place on April 8 and the Chinese GP on April 15. In addition, the Singapore GP and Chinese GP are no longer listed as ‘subject to confirmation’ as both races have agreed new race contracts for 2018 and beyond.
Talking points
- Triple header: for the first time ever, F1 will stage races on three consecutive weekends. The returning French Grand Prix on June 24 will be followed by Austria on July 1 and Great Britain on July 8. The draft schedule features a further five double-headers (China/Bahrain, Germany/Hungary, Belgium/Italy, Russia/Japan and USA/Mexico).
- France is back: the French Grand Prix returns after a 9-year absence. The race will be held at the Paul Ricard circuit on the French Riviera for the first time since 1990, and is scheduled for just one week after the Le Mans 24 hour race in late June. Sounds like a great plan for a motorsport holiday!
- So is Germany: F1 returns to the Hockenheimring after a two-year absence, but the long-term future of the German Grand Prix as an annual fixture remains in doubt.
- In doubt?: the race contracts in China and Singapore end in 2017, and with new contracts not yet announced, both races are listed as ‘subject to commercial rights holder confirmation’ for 2018.
- Bye Bye Sepang: after 19 years, Malaysia will depart the F1 calendar in 2018. With dwindling attendances and limited local interest, the organizers have not been able to generate a sufficient return on their significant annual investment, and prefer to focus on the more popular MotoGP race.
- Caucasus Changes: F1’s newest races in Russia and Azerbaijan have both had their race dates moved to accommodate the return of France and Germany. The Sochi event moves from April to September and Baku from June to April.
Not so fast…
Be careful with making firm travel plans (especially flight bookings) that cannot be cancelled or amended. Although this is supposed to be the ‘final’ calendar for 2018, changes have been known to happen. The calendar should be formally ratified in late 2017. Having said that, many events do start ticket sales up to one year in advance with good discounts (and the best choice of seats) for early birds. Click here to buy F1 tickets.
Draft 2018 F1 calendar
- March 25 Melbourne, Australia
- April 8 Sakhir, Bahrain
- April 15 Shanghai, China
- April 29 Baku, Azerbaijan
- May 13 Barcelona, Spain
- May 27 Monaco
- June 10 Montreal, Canada
- June 24 Paul Ricard, France
- July 1 Red Bull Ring, Austria
- July 8 Silverstone, Great Britain
- July 22 Hockenheim, Germany
- July 29 Hungaroring, Hungary
- August 26 Spa, Belgium
- September 2 Monza, Italy
- September 16 Singapore
- September 30 Sochi, Russia
- October 7 Suzuka, Japan
- October 21 Austin, USA
- October 28 Mexico City, Mexico
- November 11 Interlagos, Brazil
- November 25 Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi
When will these be confirmed ( for flights)
Hi Jamie, which race are you considering going to? Some dates are more fixed than others. The FIA is claiming this is the final calendar for next year, but changes are always possible before December.