The provisional 2021 Formula 1 calendar features the return of the Dutch Grand Prix and a new race in Saudi Arabia, though the Vietnam Grand Prix has been omitted.
After the COVID-19 outbreak necessitated some drastic alterations to this year’s calendar, Formula 1 is planning to return to a more normal schedule in 2021. Featuring a record-breaking 23 rounds, the 2021 Formula 1 season is set to begin in Australia on March 21 and finish in Abu Dhabi on December 5. It will feature the return of the Dutch Grand Prix and at least one new race, in Saudi Arabia. The Vietnam Grand Prix has not been listed on the provisional 2021 calendar, throwing the future of the new race into doubt – the date reserved for this race (April 25) is currently listed as TBC.
The Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, which was originally scheduled to return to the calendar this year, has moved from a planned date in May to a new slot after the summer break on September 5. It forms a new triple header of classic Formula 1 circuits with Spa-Francorchamps hosting the Belgian Grand Prix on August 29 and Monza hosting the Italian Grand Prix on September 12.
A second triple header of races is planned shortly after, when races in Russia, Singapore and Japan will be held on consecutive weekends in late September and early October. The provisional 2021 calendar also features five back-to-back race weekends in Australia/Bahrain, Azerbaijan/Canada, France/Austria, USA/Mexico and Saudi Arabia/Abu Dhabi – the final double header includes the recently announced debut of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on a planned street circuit in Jeddah on November 28, one week before the season-ending race at Yas Marina Circuit.
Two races are listed as “subject to contract” – the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on May 9 and the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos on November 14. Formula 1 is known to be keen on moving the race in Brazil to a new venue in Rio de Janeiro, though construction on the controversial circuit has yet to begin.
We are pleased to announce the 2021 Formula 1 provisional calendar after extensive conversations with our promoters, the teams and the FIA. We are planning for 2021 events with fans that provide an experience close to normal and expect our agreements to be honoured.
“We have proven that we can safely travel and operate our races and our promoters increasingly recognise the need to move forward and manage the virus. In fact, many hosts actually want to use our event as a platform to show the world they are moving forward.
We are delighted to see Saudi Arabia become part of the schedule and are equally excited to return to the venues we hoped to race at in 2020. We want to thank all our promoters and partners for their ongoing enthusiasm and collaboration and look forward to giving our fans an exciting season on the track.
Provisional 2021 Formula 1 calendar
| Round | Event | Where? | When? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2021 Australian Grand Prix | Melbourne | March 18-21 |
| 2. | 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix | Sakhir | March 26-28 |
| 3. | 2021 Chinese Grand Prix | Shanghai | April 9-11 |
| 4. | TBC | TBC | April 23-25 |
| 5. | 2021 Spanish Grand Prix | Barcelona | May 7-9 |
| 6. | 2021 Monaco Grand Prix | Monaco | May 20-23 |
| 7. | 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Baku | June 4-6 |
| 8. | 2021 Canadian Grand Prix | Montreal | June 11-13 |
| 9. | 2021 French Grand Prix | Paul Ricard | June 25-27 |
| 10. | 2021 Austrian Grand Prix | Spielberg | July 2-4 |
| 11. | 2021 British Grand Prix | Silverstone | July 16-18 |
| 12. | 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix | Budapest | July 30-Aug 1 |
| 13. | 2021 Belgian Grand Prix | Spa | August 27-29 |
| 14. | 2021 Dutch Grand Prix | Zandvoort | September 3-5 |
| 15. | 2021 Italian Grand Prix | Monza | September 10-12 |
| 16. | 2020 Russian Grand Prix | Sochi | September 24-26 |
| 17. | 2021 Singapore Grand Prix | Singapore | October 1-3 |
| 18. | 2021 Japanese Grand Prix | Suzuka | October 8-10 |
| 19. | 2021 United States Grand Prix | Austin | October 22-24 |
| 20. | 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix | Mexico City | October 29-31 |
| 21. | 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix | Interlagos | November 12-14 |
| 22. | 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah | November 26-28 |
| 23. | 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina | December 3-5 |
A note from the Editor
Given that the 2021 Formula 1 calendar is currently provisional and subject to confirmation by the FIA’s World Motorsports Council – not to mention the inherent uncertainty around COVID-19 – we recommend exercising caution when planning your Formula 1 trips for next year. Buy your tickets from official outlets that provide refunds in the case of event cancellations and make sure that flight and accommodation reservations are refundable in case dates change, races are postponed or cancelled, or you are unable to travel due to government restrictions.
Tickets are already on sale for several races on the planned 2021 Formula 1 calendar, including the Monaco Grand Prix, Hungarian Grand Prix, Belgian Grand Prix, Dutch Grand Prix and Russian Grand Prix. More tickets are expected to go on sale soon. F1 Destinations’ travel guides currently cover 21 races on the planned 2021 calendar, with the exception of the recently announced Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the race currently listed as TBC. We will be making further updates to our travel guides, especially in relation to COVID-19 advice, as race dates get closer and more information becomes available.
