Baku to make Formula One debut in 2016

2016 F1 calendar to feature record 21-race campaign

The 2016 Formula One calendar has been arranged to witness a record 21 races, which will also see Azerbaijani capital Baku making its debut.

While the season will kick-start in Australia on March 20, Abu Dhabi has been finalised as the venue for the finale on November 27.

However, the 2016 United States Grand Prix in Austin, which is originally slated for October, remains provisional, subject to an agreement with the circuit's promoter as local funding has become an issue.

The European Grand Prix in Baku may switch dates to avoid a clash with the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race running the same June 19 weekend.

The World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris also approved a mandate for the FIA President, Jean Todt and commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone to make recommendations over governance, engines and cost reduction.

All these issues plagued the sport in the 2015 season which ended on Sunday. “Mr Todt and Mr Ecclestone expressed their intention to establish conclusions on these matters by January 31, 2016,” said a FIA statement.

2016 Formula One race schedule:

March 20: Melbourne, Australia

April 3: Bahrain, Bahrain

April 17: Shanghai, China

May 1: Sochi, Russia

May 15: Barcelona, Spain

May 29: Monte Carlo, Monaco

June 12: Montreal, Canada

June 19: Baku, Azerbaijan

July 3: Spielberg, Austria

July 10: Silverstone, United Kingdom

July 24: Budapest, Hungary

July 31: Hockenheim, Germany

August 28: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

September 4: Monza, Italy

September 18: Singapore, Singapore

October 2: Sepang, Malaysia

October 9: Suzuka, Japan

October 23: Austin, USA

October 30: Mexico City, Mexico

November 13: Sao Paulo, Brazil

November 27: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates