Next year’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been brought forward to March 20, to allow space for an August break, after previously being listed for a later than usual start on April 3.

A revised provisional calendar with a record 21 races was approved by the governing FIA’s World Motor Sport Council at a meeting in Paris last night.

The April 3 date, which now goes to Bahrain for the second race of the season, would have been the latest start to a championship since 1988.

Other changes on the calendar see Bahrain and China swap places, with the race in Shanghai becoming the third round on April 17.

Azerbaijan’s inaugural race in Baku was moved from July 17 to June 19, a week after Canada, which means that Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg will be unable to defend his Le Mans 24 Hours title with that race also on June 19.

The FIA said however that the start in Baku would be timed to avoid any clash with the conclusion of the Le Mans race.

Revised calendar
March 20 – Australia; April 3 – Bahrain; April 17 – China; May 1 – Russia; May 15 – Spain; May 29 – Monaco; June 12 – Canada; June 19 – Azerbaijan; July 3 – Austria; July 10 – Britain; July 24 – Hungary; July 31 – Germany; Aug. 28 – Belgium; Sept. 4 – Italy; Sept. 18 – Singapore; Oct. 2 – Malaysia; Oct. 9 – Japan; Oct. 23 – US; Nov. 6 – Mexico; Nov. 13 – Brazil; Nov. 27 – Abu Dhabi.

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