Posted on 4th December 2013
It comes as no surprise that Korea, Mexico and New Jersey have all failed to make the 2014 calendar. The season begins in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16th, and finishes in Abu Dhabi on November 23rd. 2014 will consist of 19 races, when originally it was planned for 22.
For the first time we will have two night races, Singapore and now Bahrain. The Bahrain Grand Prix wanted to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style. I believe that holding the race at night will prove a success, although I doubt it will make the racing more interesting.
Korea has gone which is a relief to everyone quite frankly, why on earth Formula 1 felt the need to hold a race in the middle of nowhere is beyond me, it was never a success and always had its problems.
Austria makes a return to the F1 circus which has been very much welcomed. The Red Bull Ring formally the A1 ring will host the race on the 22nd of June. The beautiful scenery will prove a delightful backdrop to hopefully some great racing. The German Grand Prix returns to Hockenheim for 2014 and Russia is confirmed on the calendar for the 12th of October.
All in all it's no great surprise, a 19 race calendar would probably be welcomed by many in the paddock, 22 races did appear to be pushing the limits. However the organisation of the calendar has some rather unnecessary gaps in my opinion.
Australia and Malaysia should really be back to back, the China should be next followed immediately by Bahrain. If the FIA want to push the argument on saving money, then the 2014 calendar isn't really helping them.
Confirmed 2014 F1 Calendar
16 March Grand Prix of Australia Albert Park
30 March Grand Prix of Malaysia Sepang
06 April Grand Prix of Bahrain Sakhir
20 April Grand Prix of China Shanghai
11 May Grand Prix of Spain Catalunya
25 May Grand Prix of Monaco Monte Carlo
08 June Grand Prix of Canada Montréal
22 June Grand Prix of Austria Spielberg
06 July Grand Prix of GreatBritain Silverstone
20 July Grand Prix of Germany Hockenheim
27 July Grand Prix of Hungary Budapest
24 Aug Grand Prix of Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
07 Sept Grand Prix of Italy Monza
21 Sept Grand Prix of Singapore Singapore
05 Oct Grand Prix of Japan Suzuka
12 Oct Grand Prix of Russia Sochi
02 Nov Grand Prix of USA Austin
09 Nov Grand Prix of Brazil Interlagos
23 Nov Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi Yas Marina
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