2016 F1 Calendar is Out: India To Miss It Again

2016 calendar will feature 21 rounds, highest in F1 history, surpassing the previous benchmark of 20 in 2012.

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel during the Indian F1 Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, India. (Photo : Reuters)

The 2016 F1 calendar is here and India is not on it.

A meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday confirmed a change in the F1 sporting regulations, increasing the maximum permitted number of races in a season from 20 to 21. The 2016 campaign will therefore feature more rounds than any other in F1 history.

The calendar features a new race track this year – in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 17-19. It also marks the return of a Grand Prix in Germany, with Hockenheim hosting the race. Australia will once again host the season opener, on March 18-20, while Abu Dhabi will stage the final round for a fifth time on November 25-27.

The 2016 calendar also includes six back-to-back weekends – Canada and Baku, Austria and Great Britain, Hungary and Germany, Belgium and Italy, Malaysia and Japan, and the USA and Mexico will all be held on respective consecutive weekends.

Mexico had returned to the F1 calendar this year after a 23-year absence and drew a crowd of 1,35,000 on race days.

Interestingly, the USA’s slot is provisional as the race is subject to agreement with the promoter and national sporting authority. Austin Circuit in US was hit by torrential rain and took a financial hit when news emerged of a reduction in the subsidy paid by Texas state authorities. In simpler words, the US track needs to improve its finances to host the race this year.

2016 F1 Calendar:

• March 20 - Australia (Melbourne)
  
• April 3 - Bahrain
  
• April 17 - China (Shanghai)
  
• May 1 - Russia (Sochi)
  
• May 15 - Spain (Barcelona)
  
• May 29 - Monaco
  
• June 12 - Canada (Montreal)
  
• June 19 - Azerbaijan (Baku)
  
• July 3 - Austria (Spielberg)
  
• July 10 - Britain (Silverstone)
  
• July 14 - Hungary (Budapest)
  
• July 31 - Germany (Hockenheim)
  
• Aug 28 - Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
  
• Sept. 4 - Italy (Monza)
  
• Sept. 18 - Singapore
  
• Oct. 2 - Malaysia (Sepang)
  
• Oct. 9 - Japan (Suzuka)
  
• *Oct. 23 - United States (Austin)
  
• Oct. 30 - Mexico (Mexico City)
  
• Nov. 13 - Brazil (Sao Paulo)
  
• Nov. 27 - Abu Dhabi
  

Fans in India might not be able to enjoy Formula One cars racing in the country this time around but there is always next time.