Longest F1 season ever in 2021 (and here’s hoping for some exciting races!)

Formula One’s governing body the FIA has confirmed the calendar for the longest season in history in 2021.

23 GRANDS PRIX TO BE HELD IN 2021

There will be 23 grands prix held, starting in Australia on 21 March and ending in Abu Dhabi on 6 December.

The calendar is dependent on no further coronavirus pandemic disruption.

F1 has said it is confident it will be able to run a full calendar.

Plans for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne to be held in an ‘F1 biosphere’ are already under way.

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The date previously allocated for the Vietnamese GP, 25 April, is still empty, pending a host country being found.

Hanoi’s maiden grand prix has technically not yet been cancelled, but it will not take place and a replacement will come from one of the tracks that filled in this year as F1 built a primarily European-based season following disruption caused by coronavirus.

Turkey’s Istanbul Park, Portugal’s Portimao and Italy’s Imola track are the leading candidates to replace Vietnam.

Saudi Arabia will make its debut with a street race in Jeddah as the penultimate grand prix of the year on 28 November.

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Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton will defend his drivers’ title and will aim for a record-breaking eighth victory in 2021 which would see him break Michael Schumacher’s long-standing mark.

Formula One calendar for 2021:

21 March – Australia (Melbourne)

28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir)

11 April – China (Shanghai)

25 April – TBC

9 May – Spain (Barcelona)

23 May – Monaco

6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku)

13 June – Canada (Montreal)

27 June – France (Le Castellet)

4 July – Austria (Spielberg)

18 July – Britain (Silverstone)

1 August – Hungary (Hungaroring)

29 August – Belgium (Spa)

5 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)

12 September – Italy (Monza)

26 September – Russia (Sochi)

3 October – Singapore (Marina Bay)

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 (Yas Marina)