21-race 2016 F1 calendar approved, Austin TBC

The FIA has approved a record calendar of 21 races for 2016, with the United States Grand Prix marked as subject to confirmation.

The final calendar displays few changes to the previous versions which were submitted for approval, with the FIA World Motor Sport Council confirming the final calendar on Wednesday evening. The only date change from the last schedule sees the Mexican Grand Prix move forward a week to become back-to-back with the United States as it was this year.

The race in Austin, however, is marked as subject to approval due to financial difficulties which have hit the Circuit of the Americas. Funding contributions from the State of Texas were cut for the 2015 race - which was also hit by torrential rain which washed out qualifying on Saturday - putting its future in doubt.

There also remains a clash between the new race in Azerbaijan and the Le Mans 24 Hours, preventing any F1 drivers from competing in both. The FIA says the start of the race will be "scheduled to avoid conflict with the conclusion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans".

The full final calendar for 2016 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) 30 October
20 Brazilian Grand Prix (Interlagos) 13 November
21 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina) 27 November

*Subject to agreement with the promoter and the ASN

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - F1i's driver ratings

Use the red tabs on either side of the screen to scroll through more Formula One news and features

Click here for exclusive pictures of the Ferrari power unit

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

F1 boss Domenicali on why Apple TV will shatter ESPN’s records

Formula 1 is gearing up for a new digital era in the United States –…

3 hours ago

Sainz reveals ‘not ideal’ reality shared with Alonso

Carlos Sainz has lifted the lid on a private paddock conversation he enjoyed with Fernando…

5 hours ago

Horner names the true culprits of his Red Bull exit

Christian Horner has offered a revealing look back at his dramatic exit from Red Bull…

7 hours ago

McLaren Majesty: When Prost and Lauda stood alone

Alain Prost follows Niki Lauda by just two days on the February birthday calendar, the…

8 hours ago

Coulthard on why Bottas has the edge over Perez at Cadillac

Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 comeback with Cadillac is already under the microscope – and he…

9 hours ago

‘Not pure Formula 1’: Verstappen fires fresh salvo at 2026 cars

After pre-season testing in Bahrain gave F1’s drivers their first real taste of the sport’s…

10 hours ago