Formula One’s 23-race schedule for 2021, featuring a new race in Saudi Arabia, has been given the official stamp of approval by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
Assuming the schedule goes ahead as planned, it will be the longest F1 season in history.
2021 F1 schedule
March, 21 – Australian GP, Melbourne
March 28 – Bahrain GP, Sakhir
April 11 – Chinese GP, Shanghai
April 25 – TBC
May 9 – Spanish GP, Barcelona*
May 23 – Monaco GP, Monte Carlo
June 6 – Azerbaijan GP, Baku
June 13 – Canadian GP, Montreal
June 27 – French GP, Paul Ricard
July 4 – Austrian GP, Spielberg
July 18 – British GP, Silverstone
August 1 – Hungarian GP, Budapest
August 29 – Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps
September 6 – Dutch GP, Zandvoort
September 12 – Italian GP, Monza
September 26 – Russian GP, Sochi
October 3 – Singapore GP, Marina Bay
October 10 – Japanese GP, Suzuka
October 24 – U.S. GP, Austin
October 31 – Mexican GP, Mexico City
November 14 – Sao Paulo GP, Sao Paulo
November 28 – Saudi Arabian GP, Jeddah
December 5 – Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina
*Subject to contract
Alongside the announcement came confirmation of a new five-year deal with Brazilian Grand Prix host Interlagos, ending speculation the race would be replaced by a controversial new circuit in Rio de Janeiro. The Interlagos race will be renamed the Sao Paulo Grand Prix under the new contract.
ESPN understands the Vietnam Grand Prix will not go ahead next year following the arrest in August of Hanoi People’s Committee chairman Nguyen Duc Chung, who was among the main supporters of the race. F1 is aiming to fill that vacated spot, currently marked TBC, with a different race.
The return of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang is believed to be under consideration as are circuits used on this year’s COVID-19-affected calendar, such as Portimao, Imola and Istanbul Park. F1 will make a decision on that race in the new year.
The Spanish Grand Prix remains on the calendar subject to a new contract and retains its slot in May, with the Dutch Grand Prix, which was originally scheduled for May this year, moving to an early September date to form a triple header with the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix.
A second triple header across Russia, Singapore and Japan will take place in late September and early October.
Speaking in November, when the provisional calendar was released, F1 CEO Chase Carey 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. We want to thank all our promoters and partners for their ongoing enthusiasm and collaboration and look forward to giving our fans an exciting season on the track.”