F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

Formula 1 reveals record-length race calendar for 2021 season

Twenty-three events listed on provisional schedule, with 22 rounds named and one TBC; Australia to open campaign on March 21, British GP on July 18, and new night race in Saudi Arabia forms a season-ending double header with Abu Dhabi

By James Galloway

Last Updated: 10/11/20 3:55pm

Watch every race live on Sky Sports F1 in 2021
Watch every race live on Sky Sports F1 in 2021

Formula 1 has unveiled a record-length provisional calendar for the 2021 season as the sport plans to return to racing all around the globe.

22 races have been named for next year and a 23rd slot has also been kept open in April should a replacement be found for Vietnam, which has been dropped from the planned schedule.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen the 2020 season reduced to 17 rounds and largely based in Europe but F1 are confident a more 'normal' campaign will be able to take place next year, with fans in attendance.

An F1 statement read: "Our hosts for 2021 are reassured by our safe return to racing this season and confident that the plans and procedures we have in place will allow us to return to a level of normality for the 2021 season."

F1 has never previously staged more than 21 races in a single season.

Is it weird to be excited already? https://t.co/Ub5rtpsApu

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) November 10, 2020

What's the detail of the 2021 calendar?

Australia, the sport's traditional season opener, will open the new campaign on March 21 after being called off this year due to the pandemic.

The Melbourne event will be followed a week later by Bahrain, which returns to its usual early slot in the calendar after being moved to later this month as part of 2020's revamped roster, and then a two-week gap to China.

  • Vietnam dropped from 2021 F1 calendar
  • All the details about F1's new street race in Saudi Arabia
  • How Lewis Hamilton can become a seven-time champion this Sunday

Vietnam was due to stage its inaugural grand prix this year on the streets of Hanoi but the future of the event is now uncertain. The race was one of 12 to be pulled this year due to the pandemic but has been dropped from 2021 for political reasons in the country.

Save the date 📅! #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/PqMa4yQTZe

— F1 Australian Grand Prix (@ausgrandprix) November 10, 2020

What would have been its position on the calendar as the fourth round has been left blank. It is understood that some of the venues which have stepped into the void this year - such as Imola, Istanbul Park, and Portimao - are in the running to take over the slot on April 25.

The British GP at Silverstone is scheduled for July 18 and avoids clashes with both Wimbledon and Euro 2021.

After an extra year's wait, the much-anticipated return of the Dutch GP at Zandvoort will now take place at the end of the summer in early September, a week after Spa-Francorchamps in neighbouring Belgium.

Belgium and the Netherlands join with Italy to form the first of two consecutive triple headers. Russia, Singapore and Japan are also placed together on consecutive weekends.

We are ready to roar again! 🦁 See you on September 5th 2021! 🇳🇱🏎#DutchGP #TheUltimateRaceFestival #Formula1 #F1 #CircuitZandvoort pic.twitter.com/x7kUY59JGc

— Dutch Grand Prix (@f1_dutchgp) November 10, 2020

With the American events back on the planned schedule, Brazil's popular Interlagos has earned a reprieve to continue in 2021, subject to contract. A planned new venue being built in Rio de Janeiro has not yet received government permission to proceed.

Also, as announced last week, a new night race in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah will make its debut on November 28.

The night-time event will form a season-ending double header with Abu Dhabi, which will close the year on December 5.

Saudi Arabia becomes F1's third venue in the Middle East, but first on a street track, with a race in Jeddah
Saudi Arabia becomes F1's third venue in the Middle East, but first on a street track, with a race in Jeddah

Chase Carey, F1's outgoing chairman, said: "We are planning for 2021 events with fans that provide an experience close to normal and expect our agreements to be honoured.

"We have proven that we can safely travel and operate our races and our promoters increasingly recognise the need to move forward and manage the virus. In fact, many hosts actually want to use our event as a platform to show the world they are moving forward.

"We are delighted to see Saudi Arabia become part of the schedule and are equally excited to return to the venues we hoped to race at in 2020."

Also See:

  • Vietnam dropped from 2021 schedule
  • How Hamilton can win title this Sunday
  • Saudi Arabia joins F1 with night GP
  • Find out more about F1 on Sky Sports

Provisional 2021 F1 calendar
21 March - Australia (Melbourne)
28 March - Bahrain (Sakhir)
11 April - China (Shanghai)
25 April - TBC (TBC)
9 May - Spain (Barcelona)*
23 May - Monaco (Monaco)
6 June - Azerbaijan (Baku)
13 June - Canada (Montreal)
27 June - France (Le Castellet)
4 July - Austria (Spielberg)
18 July - United Kingdom (Silverstone)
1 August - Hungary (Budapest)
29 August - Belgium (Spa)
5 September - Netherlands (Zandvoort)
12 September - Italy (Monza)
26 September - Russia (Sochi)
3 October - Singapore (Singapore)
10 October - Japan (Suzuka)
24 October - USA (Austin)
31 October - Mexico (Mexico City)
14 November - Brazil (Sao Paulo)*
28 November - Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
5 December - Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi)

*Subject to contract

Trending

  • 1
    In full: Carra and Nev clash over Man Utd's Anfield performance
  • 2
    Salah: I want to stay at Liverpool as long as I can
  • 3
    Neville on how Man Utd need to step up
  • 4
    Transfer Talk: 'Sancho talk could resume in the spring'
  • 5
    Rodgers planning for life after Vardy
  • 6
    Ozil leaves conflicted Arsenal legacy
  • 7
    Romano: Eriksen to Spurs is 'not so easy'
  • 8
    PL predictions: Foxes to pounce on ponderous Chelsea
  • 9
    Ref Watch: 'Surprising to see Tierney blow early at Anfield'
  • 10
    'Fury couldn't ruthlessly KO rival, but I will!'
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Olympics
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports NFL
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2021 Sky UK