The governing body of Formula 1 (the FIA) has released an updated provisional calendar for 2016. Next year’s series still features a total of 21 races, but the start of the season in Australia has been brought forward by 2 weeks to reinstate a longer break for teams during the European summer.
Just 12 races retain an unchanged slot from the most recent provisional calendar published by the FIA in July (read our earlier post), indicating the difficulties which Bernie Ecclestone continues to experience in finalizing the largest ever proposed Formula 1 calendar.
The 2016 F1 calendar includes one new destination – a race on the streets of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan – and also sees the return of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. The calendar still features a record six back-to-back races, some of which will clearly be more of a challenge for the teams than others (e.g. Canada to Azerbaijan on June 12-19).
Other changes to the provisional F1 calendar for next year include:
- The opening race in Australia has been brought forward by two weeks, from April 3 to March 20. It is now followed by Bahrain two weeks later, rather then China (the latter two races swapping positions on the calendar).
- The debut race in Azerbaijan moves forward from July 17 to June 19 and now clashes with the Le Mans 24 hours weekend (thought the FIA stressed that the race in Baku will begin after the finish of the famous French sportscar race)
- The British Grand Prix at Silverstone moves from June 26 to July 10.
- Hungary moves forward two weeks from August 7 to July 24, and will now run one week before the returning German Grand Prix (rather than one week after).
- Malaysia moves back one week to October 2, but still follows the Singapore Grand Prix.
- Mexico moves back one week to November 7.
Although it’s tempting to start making bookings for 2016, we advise you not to make any reservations which you are unable to change. The final calendar for 2016 will not be signed off by the FIA until December, and further alterations are possible.
2016 Formula 1 Calendar
- March 20 – Australia (Albert Park, Melbourne)
- April 3 – Bahrain (Sakhir)
- April 17 – China (Shanghai International Circuit)
- May 1 – Russia (Sochi)
- May 15 – Spain (Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona)
- May 29 – Monaco
- June 12 – Canada (Montreal)
- June 19 – Azerbaijan (Baku)
- July 3 – Austria (Red Bull Ring, Spielberg)
- July 10 – Britain (Silverstone)
- July 24 – Hungary (Hungaroring, Budapest)
- July 31 – Germany (Hockenheim)
- August 28 – Belgium (Spa Francorchamps)
- September 4 – Italy (Monza, Milan)
- September 18 – Singapore
- October 2 – Malaysia (Sepang, Kuala Lumpur)
- October 9 – Japan (Suzuka)
- October 23 – USA (COTA, Austin)
- November 7 – Mexico (Mexico City)
- November 13 – Brazil (Interlagos, Sao Paolo)
- November 27 – Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
