The new Formula One season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.
Here’s some answers to the most important questions of the season to bring you up to speed on everything you need to know for the opening race and beyond.
How many races are there?
This year was set to feature a record 24 races, but the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix and the decision not to replace it has lowered that to 23, which remains a record number for one season. Between the first race in Bahrain and the final race on Nov. 26, there are just 15 weekends without a grand prix.
The pick of the bunch in terms of the calendar is the penultimate round, the first Las Vegas Grand Prix on Nov. 18.
There’s a race in Vegas?
Down the world-famous strip, no less. The deal bringing Las Vegas to the schedule is audacious and one-of-a-kind, with F1 currently building a four-story, 300-square-foot paddock in the city.
The race itself, the penultimate round of the championship, will be unique. It will take place on Saturday night at 10 p.m. local time (1 a.m. ET).
Vegas looks set to be F1’s main attraction race going forward. The city signed an initial three-year deal but has just approved a plan to host a race on the strip for the next 10 years, as it eyes a “lifetime in partnership” with F1.
Full schedule
March 5 – Bahrain Grand Prix
March 19 – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
April 2 – Australian Grand Prix
April 30 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix
May 7 – Miami Grand Prix
May 21 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
May 28 – Monaco Grand Prix
June 4 – Spanish Grand Prix
June 18 – Canadian Grand Prix
July 2 – Austrian Grand Prix
July 9 – British Grand Prix
July 23 – Hungarian Grand Prix
July 30 – Belgian Grand Prix
August 27 – Dutch Grand Prix
September 3 – Italian Grand Prix
September 17 – Singapore Grand Prix
September 24 – Japanese Grand Prix
October 8 – Qatar Grand Prix
October 22 – U.S. Grand Prix
October 29 – Mexican Grand Prix
November 5 – Brazilian Grand Prix
November 18 – Las Vegas Grand Prix
November 26 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Source: ESPN
I’m not sure I say this enough but I do love me some F1 and I personally can’t wait for March 5th. Who are you rooting for?
