Currently reading: Formula 1 2021: 23-race calendar includes new Saudi Arabia GP

Next season, due to begin in Melbourne on 21 March, will include return of the Dutch GP at Zandvoort

Formula 1 bosses have released a 23-race provisional calendar for the 2021 season, including a new street race in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the delayed return of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Aside from the Saudi Arabia event, the 2021 schedule is similar to the calendar originally planned for this season, before it was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. F1 bosses managed to compile a 17-race 2020 season, although numerous planned events were canned, with several replacement venues added to boost the number of races.

The season is due to start with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 21 March, and F1 bosses say that, after their experience of running events in 2020, they are “confident that the plans and procedures we have in place will allow us to return to a level of normality” next year.

F1 bosses added that “they expect fans to return for the 2021 season”, although that is likely to be down to regulations in each country on the schedule.

The previously announced Saudi Arabia event is scheduled to run as a night race on 28 November and will be the penultimate event of the season. The race will be held on a street circuit in Jeddah, with plans to eventually build a permanent circuit close to Riyadh. The addition of the event to the calendar has been criticised by some humanitarian organisations due to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

The calendar also includes the Dutch GP at Zandvoort, which was due to return to the calendar this year to capitalise on the immense popularity of Max Verstappen but was one of the events axed due to Covid-19 concerns. That event is now scheduled for 5 September.

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The calendar includes an event listed as ‘TBC’ on 25 April. The slot was originally intended for a new race in Vietnam, but that event has been canned for what are understood to be political issues over the race. Meanwhile, the Spanish GP in Barcelona and Brazilian GP at Interlagos are both listed on the calendar as being ‘subject to contract’.

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If every event is held, the 23 planned races will be a new record for F1, breaking the record of 21 set in 2016, 2018 and 2019. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is due to take place on 18 July.

Despite the popularity of the replacement events held this year at the likes of the Nürburgring, Imola and Portimão, none of the replacement 2020 venues are due to retain a spot on the calendar for 2021 – although it is possible one could step into the gap left by the axed Vietnam race.

The calendars for the Formula 2 and Formula 3 feeder series have also been revealed. While both championships previously held two races per weekend at most European F1 races, the two series will now run at separate events and switch to a three-race format in order to cut costs.

The eight-event Formula 2 schedule includes the British GP.

2021 F1 calendar (provisional)

21 March Australian GP (Melbourne)

28 March Bahrain GP (Sakhir)

11 April Chinese GP (Shanghai)

25 April TBC

9 May Spanish GP (Barcelona)*

23 May Monaco GP (Monaco)

6 June Azerbaijan GP (Baku)

13 June Canadian GP (Montreal)

27 June French GP (Paul Ricard)

4 July Austrian GP (Spielberg)

18 July British GP (Silverstone)

1 August Hungarian GP (Budapest)

29 August Belgian GP (Spa-Francorchamps)

5 September Dutch GP (Zandvoort)

12 September Italian GP (Monza)

26 September Russian GP (Sochi)

3 October Singapore GP (Singapore)

10 October Japanese GP (Suzuka)

24 October United States GP (Austin)

31 October Mexican GP (Mexico City)

14 November Brazilian GP (Interlagos)*

28 November Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah)

5 December Abu Dhabi GP (Abu Dhabi)

*Subject to contract

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James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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The Apprentice 10 November 2020

Xxxx wasn't worth posting

Xxxx wasn't worth posting anyway.
xxxx 10 November 2020

in which case

The Apprentice wrote:

Xxxx wasn't worth posting anyway.

Which makes your reply even less worthwhile

Folsom 10 November 2020

virtue signalling

xxxx wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Xxxx wasn't worth posting anyway.

Which makes your reply even less worthwhile

XXXX, The Apprentice has a point, but Lewis is not alone. All the celebs of the world speaking up for human rights as long as it doesn't affect their pocket. Quit F1, sleep in a makeshift tent for a year with the medics on the ground in Africa, then use your millions from a position of authority, instead of just mimicing popular media virtue signalling.

The Apprentice 10 November 2020

How will woke Lewis cope with

How will woke Lewis cope with Saudi human rights issues?
xxxx 10 November 2020

Answer

With a lot dignity than you no doubt

xxxx 10 November 2020

stupid spam rules

With a lot more dignity than you no doubt

si73 11 November 2020

The Apprentice wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

How will woke Lewis cope with Saudi human rights issues?

I wonder if he considers boycotting races in places with issues such as these? Or whether it is better to be there and say your piece.
Certainly not for me to say, and I wouldn't object to either as it's his choice.

martin_66 11 November 2020

Errr...

The Apprentice wrote:

How will woke Lewis cope with Saudi human rights issues?

Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, Bahrain.  Lewis Hamilton couldn't care less about human rights abuses.  All he cares about is making lots of money and jumping on the "black lives matter" bandwagon, gobbing off in countries where he knows he can get away with it.   

Where will the next race be?  North Korea?

Peter Cavellini 10 November 2020

23 races.

 Why do we need so many races?