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A draft of the Formula One World Championship calendar has been released for the 2019 season and after agreement by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, will be confirmed upon. A meeting is held on October 12th based on which the official calendar would be decided and approved.
The 2019 calendar would start on March 17th, and after 50 years would witness a Grand Prix being held in December, which would be the last race of the year. The format would include 21 races, as was seen during 2016 and 2018, with Formula One visiting Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Australia in turn.
Europe remains dominant in the sport, with 11 of the 21 Grand Prix to its name. Asia will organize five races as Americas takes four, leaving Australia with the one in Melbourne. Other than the change in dates, the calendar remains identical to the 2018 one except for the races in Mexico City and United States of America getting swapped around.
German and French Grands Prix were additions made in 2018 and they would continue to hold races at their respective circuits. Similarly, the Belgium Grand Prix retains its place on next year’s calendar after its contract was extended till 2021.
The 2019 season would mark the historic 1000th race for Formula One and it would be celebrated during the Chinese Grand Prix on April 14th. As the Japanese Grand Prix would also be rejoicing for their 30th anniversary next year, Honda would be title sponsor of the race as the Suzuka Circuit contract has also been renewed till 2021.
Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial Operations at Formula 1 said, “The renewal of the Japanese Grand Prix and the confirmation of the German Grand Prix are both examples of our direction to place fans at the heart of Formula 1, a vision shared with all our promoters. The successful extension of the Fan Zones at the race circuits, coupled with the colourful city F1 Festivals in London, Shanghai, Marseille, Milan and Miami, prove there is a great appetite for all aspects of Formula 1.”
