FIA officializes 20-race calendar

There have therefore been several changes compared to the initial version of the calendar that was released. The main one is the disappearance of the German Grand Prix, for the second time in three years. The reason is that the FOM has signed an alternating agreement between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. That’s why the event took place this year at the former.

However, the finances of the latter are in dire straits, and the owners no longer want to cover the debts incurred by hosting an F1 race. Similarly, the organizers in Hockenheim want to limit their losses to one year out of two and therefore did not wish to host a race two years in a row. We thus find ourselves in the absurd situation of having a German driver as world champion in a German team as world champion that does not have its national event…

The vacating of a spot, particularly in Europe, has led to a reshuffling of other events on the Old Continent. Thus, it was decided to delay the race held in the streets of Baku by one week, which now becomes the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan instead of Europe. This change offers a double advantage.

The first is that it avoids the back-to-back Canada-Azerbaijan, which was a logistical and physiological nightmare for all members of the Formula One Circus. The second is that it avoids holding a F1 race on the same weekend as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We’ll see if some drivers will try to imitate Nico Hülkenberg in 2015.

It can also be noted that the event in Italy will indeed take place in Monza for several years as the Automobile Club of Milan has finally signed its final contract with Bernie Ecclestone, following the major announcements made during the Italian weekend.

If Singapore and Malaysia are still separated by two weeks, Austin and Mexico are still back-to-back, which maximizes the audience and the notoriety of F1 in North America.

On the occasion of its World Council, the FIA officially announced the calendar for the 2017 season. It includes 20 races, with changes to several Grand Prix dates.

There will therefore have been several modifications compared to the first draft of the calendar that was released. The main change is the disappearance of the German Grand Prix, for the second time in three years. The reason is that FOM has signed an alternating agreement between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. That’s why the event took place this year at the former.

On the other hand, the finances of the latter are in dire straits and the owners no longer want to cover the debts incurred by hosting an F1 race. Similarly, the organizers in Hockenheim wish to limit their losses to one year out of two and thus did not want to host a race two years in a row.

The freeing up of a slot, particularly in Europe, has therefore led to a reshuffling of other events on the Old Continent. Thus, it was decided to delay the race held in the streets of Baku by one week, which is now the Azerbaijan Grand Prix instead of Europe. This change offers a double advantage.

The first is that it avoids the back-to-back Canada-Azerbaijan, which was a logistical and physiological nightmare for all members of the Formula One Circus. The second is that it avoids holding an F1 race on the same weekend as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We will see if some drivers will try to emulate Nico Hülkenberg in 2015.

We can also note that the race in Italy will indeed take place in Monza for several years because the Automobile Club of Milan has finally signed its final contract with Bernie Ecclestone, after the major announcements made during the Italian weekend.

If Singapore and Malaysia are still separated by two weeks, Austin and Mexico remain back-to-back, which allows for maximizing the audience and the visibility of F1 in North America.

March 26, Melbourne (Australia)

April 9, Shanghai (China)

April 16, Bahrain (Bahrain)

April 30, Sochi (Russia)

May 14, Barcelona (Spain)

May 28, Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

June 11, Montreal (Canada)

June 25, Baku (Azerbaijan)

July 9 Spielberg (Austria)

July 16, Silverstone (United Kingdom)

July 30, Budapest (Hungary)

August 27, Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)

September 3 Monza (Italy)

September 17 Singapore (Singapore)

October 1st Sepang (Malaysia)

October 8, Suzuka (Japan)

October 22, Austin (United States)

October 29, Mexico (Mexico)

November 12, São Paulo (Brazil)

November 26 Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)

With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr