The First Look at The Official 2018 Formula One Calendar
The 2018 Formula One calendar is now official and the race will shoot the starting sign on March 25 in the Australian circuit. After 21 races, it will end once again in the Abu Dhabi circuit on November 25.
For another year, the summer break will take place during the month of August, between the Hungary and Belgium races. Thereby, for three weeks, the drivers and teams will be able to rest and recover their energy to face the final stretch of Formula One. Will they take full advantage of this?
There will be some very intense weekends before the “time out”, with three consecutive races that will be a true challenge for the drivers. From June 24 to July 8, the French, Austrian and British Grand Prix will be chained together.
New circuits
One of the first surprises in the 2018 Formula One calendar is the fact that the race will pass by France and Germany again. Therefore, there will be two important dates for both the teams and fans. It’s almost certain that the stands will be packed throughout the weekend.
The French Grand Prix will take place in the Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet. Formula One returns to France 10 years later, an eagerly awaited return is finally official. The Circuit Paul Ricard is an old acquaintance in Formula One. In fact, from 1970 to 1990, drivers have raced there a total of 14 times.
Some drivers, Lewis Hamilton among them, have expressed their discomfort with the news. The British driver would rather the French Grand Prix took place in the Mangy-Cours circuit, the same way it was from 1991 to 2008.
On the other hand, the Hockenheim circuit will host the German Grand Prix. We should remember that during the last season this country did not host any races since its two main circuits, Hockenheim and Nürburgring were not in their best financial moments.
A year later, Hockenheim is where the German Grand Prix will take place. Nürburgring is still on negotiations to be the host in two years and go back in the Formula One.
Malaysia says goodbye to Formula One
In order for other circuits to fit in the 2018 Formula One calendar, others have to make an exit. This is the case for the Malaysian Grand Prix. Its lack of profitability along with the entrance of the German and French Grand Prix has taken it out of Formula One.
Since 1999, the Sepang circuit had been a mandatory stop for the Formula One. It’s unknown if it will be a part of the calendar again in the future after 18 years of appearing as a Formula One circuit.
2016 Formula One calendar
- March 25th: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Circuit.
- April 8th: Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir Circuit.
- 15th April: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai Circuit.
- April 29th: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku City Circuit.
- May 13th: Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona Circuit.
- May 27th: Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo Circuit.
- June 10th: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal Circuit.
- June 24th: French Grand Prix, Le Castellet Circuit.
- July 1st: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg Circuit.
- 8th July: British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit.
- July 22nd: German Grand Prix, Hockenheim Circuit.
- July 29th: Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest Circuit.
- August 26th: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps Circuit.
- September 2nd: Italian Grand Prix, Monza Circuit.
- 16th September: Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit.
- September 30th: Russian Grand Prix, Sochi Circuit.
- 7th October: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka Circuit.
- October 21st: United States Grand Prix, Austin Circuit.
- October 28th: Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City Circuit.
- November 11th: Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo Circuit.
- November 25th: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit.
Once the 25th of March arrives and the Melbourne traffic light turns off, the countdown will begin. Now all that’s left to do is wait for this season to be unique and memorable.