FIA issues updated 2016 F1 calendar

The FIA has issued the updated provisional calendar for the 2016 F1 season, with the championship now set to begin on March 20th in Australia.

Approved today by the World Motor Sport Council, the calendar features 21 races as original, but with multiple changes to when they are scheduled.

The Australian Grand Prix has been pushed forward to March 20th, having initially been given an April slot. USA and Mexico will host back-to-back races on the first two weekends of November, while Abu Dhabi sticks to the November 27 date, despite plans to stage the season finale in December.

The new-for-2016 European Grand Prix in Baku will take place on the same weekend as Le Mans, although FIA insists that it will adjust the race start time to avoid conflict with the conclusion of the prestigious 24 Hour sportscar race.

India, as expected, remains absent from the F1 calendar, with the organisers now focusing on a 2017 return.

Provisional 2016 F1 calendar

20 March Melbourne

3 April Bahrain

17 April Shanghai

1 May Sochi

15 May Barcelona

29 May Monte Carlo

12 June Montreal

19 June Baku

3 July Spielberg

10 July Silverstone

24 July Budapest

31 July Hockenheim

28 August Spa-Francorchamps

4 September Monza

18 September Singapore

2 October Sepang

9 October Suzuka

23 October Austin

6 November Mexico City

13 November Sao Paolo

27 November Abu Dhabi