Date changes likely in 19 race Formula 1 2014 calendar

A revised version of the 2014 F1 calendar was circulating at the weekend in Austin, with 19 races instead of the 22 announced by the FIA at its mos...

A revised version of the 2014 F1 calendar was circulating at the weekend in Austin, with 19 races instead of the 22 announced by the FIA at its most recent World Motor Sports Council meeting.

It looks likely that there will be three casualties: New Jersey will not be ready for next year, but circuit consultant Chris Pook said in Austin that he believes the circuit is viable for 2015. Mexico will not appear, but there is a strong appetite for a race, depending on the future of Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez. Meanwhile there were briefings in October that Korea would go ahead, but it now looks as though it will not be on the calendar after all.

Abu Dhabi will become the final race, with a tyre test to follow in the week after, as in the Bridgestone days. Japan will be paired with the inaugural Russian GP.

Meanwhile Melbourne will be on its own as the season opener, two weeks before Malaysia. Although this seems illogical, there are commercial reasons for this, connected to a key sponsor of one of the events.

There are a few rejigs to take place, before the final calendar is issued on December 6th at the final WMSC meeting of 2013.

2014 F1 calendar (Expected)

16 March - Australia

30 March - Malaysia

6 April - Bahrain

20 April - China

11 May - Spain

25 May - Monaco

8 June - Canada

22 June - Austria

6 July - GB

20 July - Germany