The FIA has announced a revised 21-race calendar for 2016, which sees an earlier start to the season and a clash with Le Mans.
Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Paris, the provisional calendar was released which moves the opening race of the season - the Australian Grand Prix - forward two weeks to March 20. The first back-to-back of the season is scheduled as Canada (June 12) and Azerbaijan (June 19), the latter of which will see a clash with Le Mans.
While the Azerbaijan start time will be pushed back to ensure it does not clash with the conclusion of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the provisional race date will prevent Nico Hulkenberg from returning to defend his 2015 victory.
The mid-season break is reinstated with the German Grand Prix scheduled for July 31 ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix on August 28. The season will then end in Abu Dhabi on November 27.
The full calendar for 2016 released by the FIA is as follows:
| Round | Race | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne) | 20 March |
| 2 | Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir) | 3 April |
| 3 | Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai) | 17 April |
| 4 | Russian Grand Prix (Sochi) | 1 May |
| 5 | Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona) | 15 May |
| 6 | Monaco Grand Prix (Monte Carlo) | 29 May |
| 7 | Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal) | 12 June |
| 8 | European Grand Prix (Baku) | 19 June |
| 9 | Austrian Grand Prix (Spielberg) | 3 July |
| 10 | British Grand Prix (Silverstone) | 10 July |
| 11 | Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest) | 24 July |
| 12 | German Grand Prix (Hockenheim) | 31 July |
| 13 | Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps) | 28 August |
| 14 | Italian Grand Prix (Monza) | 4 September |
| 15 | Singapore Grand Prix (Marina Bay) | 18 September |
| 16 | Malaysian Grand Prix (Sepang) | 2 October |
| 17 | Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka) | 9 October |
| 18 | United States Grand Prix (Austin) | 23 October |
| 19 | Mexican Grand Prix (Mexico City) | 6 November |
| 20 | Brazilian Grand Prix (Interlagos) | 13 November |
| 21 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina) | 27 November |
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