FIA announces 2016 F1 calendar with 21 races

The FIA has approved a record 21-race calendar for the 2016 Formula 1 season, with the championship's first grand prix in Baku getting a July date.

The calendar features a significant reorganisation, with Russia moving from October to April while Malaysia moves back from March to September, after organisers requested a later date when it announced a new deal until 2018.

The season's latest start since 1988 has been rubber-stamped following a World Motor Sport Council meeting in Mexico, with Australia retaining the honour of hosting the first race on April 3.

It is one of seven back-to-back races - Australia/China, Bahrain/Russia, Britain/Austria, Germany/Hungary, Belgium/Italy, Singapore/Malaysia and USA/Mexico.

Germany returns to the calendar, after the race that was due to be held at the Nurburgring this year was cancelled when a deal could not be reached with the promoters.

No venue has been specified for the 2016 German event.

The inaugural race in Baku in Azerbaijan, which will be run under the European Grand Prix banner, will be a standalone event on July 17.

The British Grand Prix moves forward two weeks to June 26, thus avoiding a clash with the Wimbledon tennis championships for the first time in several years.

APPROVED 2016 CALENDAR:

April 3 - Australia
April 10 - China
April 24 - Bahrain
May 1 - Russia
May 15 - Spain
May 29 - Monaco
June 12 - Canada
June 26 - Britain
July 3 - Austria
July 17 - Europe (Baku)
July 31 - Germany
August 7 - Hungary
August 28 - Belgium
September 4 - Italy
September 18 - Singapore
September 25 - Malaysia
October 9 - Japan
October 23 - USA (Austin)
October 30 - Mexico
November 13 - Brazil
November 27 - Abu Dhabi