Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA has announced a revised 20-race calendar following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Vienna.
The new calendar confirms that the German Grand Prix has been dropped from the schedule again after talks between Hockenheim promoters and Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone broke down. Another major change to the provisional calendar first issued in September includes Baku's street race being moved back one week to June 25, avoiding a repeat of 2016's clash with the Le Mans 24 Hours.
It also eliminates the logistical nightmare and big time zone shift the teams encountered when it followed the Canadian GP in back-to-back events this year. The British GP now moves to one week later in July, leading to a clash with Formula E's New York race and the Wimbledon tennis singles finals.
Singapore was initially pencilled in to run back to back with Japan, but it has now swapped back with Malaysia to run as a standalone race in mid-September. Meanwhile, the plan to pair Mexico and Brazil has also been abandoned, with the United States Grand Prix being twinned with the former and Brazil being a standalone, as was the case this season. The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos loses its ‘subject to confirmation’ tag, officially securing its place on the 2017 calendar.
There are five back-to-back races, compared to seven on the previous draft. As previously announced, the season will start in Australia on March 26 and conclude in Abu Dhabi on November 26.
2017 FORMULA 1 CALENDAR
March 26 Australia, Melbourne
April 9 China, Shanghai
April 16 Bahrain, Sakhir
April 30 Russia, Sochi
May 14 Spain, Barcelona
May 28 Monaco, Monte Carlo
June 11 Canada, Montreal
June 25 Azerbaijan, Baku
July 9 Austria, Red Bull ring
July 16 UK, Silverstone
July 30 Hungary, Hungaroring
August 27 Belgium, Spa
September 3 Italy, Monza
September 17 Singapore, Marina Bay
October 1 Malaysia, Sepang
October 8 Japan, Suzuka
October 22 USA, Austin
October 29 Mexico, Mexico City
November 12 Brazil, Interlagos
November 26 Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina