F1 releases provisional 21-race calendar for 2019

Formula 1 has released its provisional 21-race calendar for the 2019 season, featuring the same races that appeared on this year’s schedule.

Following confirmation that the Japanese Grand Prix had put pen to paper on a new contract beyond the end of this year, and the signing of a one-year agreement with Hockenheim to host the German Grand Prix, the 21-race schedule was formally revealed by F1 on Friday.

The new season will start in Melbourne on March 17 - one week earlier than in recent years - before ending with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 1.

Despite uncertainty over the future of the race in Germany, a deal has been struck that sees Mercedes-Benz become the title sponsor of the event at Hockenheim on July 28.

There is no repeat of the triple-header from 2018 despite the same number of races, with Spa and Monza both being shifted back by one week. Russia is now a back-to-back race with Singapore, with Japan becoming a standalone race.

The races in Mexico and the United States have swapped places, taking place on October 27 and November 3 respectively.

Formula 1 2019 Draft Calendar

1. Australia - March 17
2. Bahrain - March 31
3. China - April 14
4. Azerbaijan - April 28
5. Spain - May 12
6. Monaco - May 26
7. Canada - June 9
8. France - June 23
9. Austria - June 30
10. Great Britain - July 14
11. Germany - July 28
12. Hungary - August 4
13. Belgium - September 1
14. Italy - September 8
15. Singapore - September 22
16. Russia - September 29
17. Japan - October 13
18. Mexico - October 27
19. USA - November 3
20. Brazil - November 17
21. Abu Dhabi - December 1

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that the draft of the 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar is made up of 21 races, as it was this year. In addition, we are honoured the promoters of the long-standing Japanese Grand Prix have agreed to a new long-term deal that will ensure our loyal and knowledgeable Japanese fans will be able to enjoy Formula 1 for more years to come," F1 CEO Chase Carey said.

"I am also delighted to confirm that with the very valuable help of Mercedes- Benz, the German automobile clubs ADAC and AvD and the German Minister for Transportation and Digital Infrastructure, we have reached an agreement with the Municipality of Hockenehim and the promoter Hockenheim-Ring GmbH which will allow to once more race at this iconic circuit also in 2019. This demonstrates how all stakeholders within Formula 1 are working together to ensure the long-term future of the sport and its fans.”

The publication of the calendar also means there is confirmation the 1,000th F1 grand prix will be the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 14.

Despite initial hopes of adding a race in Miami for 2019, F1 confirmed in July it had abandoned these plans until 2020 at the earliest.