The calendar for the 2014 Formula 1 season has undergone many drastic changes over the past six or seven months. At one point, we were staring down the barrel of a 22 race season, set to be the longest ever. Ultimately, the final figure was 19, as it has been in recent years, but there have been a few changes made from 2013.
THE NEW ADDITIONS
There are two races on the 2014 calendar that were not held in 2013. Firstly, the Austrian Grand Prix makes a return to Formula 1 after ten years away. Once again, it will be held at the old A1 Ring which fell into disrepair after being dropped from the F1 calendar. However, following serious investment by Red Bull (it is now known as the Red Bull Ring), it is once again a world class racing facility, and is a welcome return to the fray.
The only ‘brand new’ event on the calendar is the Russian Grand Prix, with a circuit being constructed as part of the Sochi Winter Olympics complex. Although this is the first Russian GP to be part of a world championship, it will actually be the third race to be run under the ‘Russian Grand Prix’ moniker. In 1913 and 1914, races were held in St. Petersburg before the outbreak of World War One. It is a new and exciting market, and with Russian youngster Daniil Kvyat on the grid, it should be a well-attended event.
THE DROPPED EVENTS
With two races joining the calendar, two have made way, both of which are short-lived events in Asia. The Korean Grand Prix was first held in 2010, but with plans for significant development at the circuit shelved, and the fact that it is a four hour train journey from Seoul, it has never really taken off. The only person who may miss it is Sebastian Vettel, having won three of the four grands prix held at Yeongam.
In contrast, the Indian Grand Prix will certainly be missed. The nation is booming economically and has a rich and vibrant culture, but financial complications have caused the race to be dropped for 2014. The official line is that the promoters want an early slot on the 2015 calendar, and cannot hold two races within six months of each other. Sadly, it’s unlikely that we will return to Buddh International Circuit next year – again, a favorite of Vettel’s, having won three from three there.
THE CHANGES
There have been a few minor changes to the order of the races in 2014. Firstly, the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Chinese Grand Prix have swapped places, with the event at Sakhir now going back-to-back with the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Further to that, the Bahrain Grand Prix will become a night race for 2014 to mark ten years since its first event. It will start at 6pm local time and run under floodlights (pictured), following in the footsteps of Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
Controversially, the Brazilian Grand Prix will no longer be the season finale, swapping places with the less-popular Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, with Interlagos having quite outdated facilities, it is thought that a more modern venue is wanted for the final round of the year. Once the expected upgrades are put in place in Brazil for 2015, it should return to being the final round of the season (although that will only slightly soften the blow of double points).
Finally, there are less back-to-back races in 2014 due to the return of in-season testing. Tests will be held following the races in Bahrain, Spain, Great Britain and Abu Dhabi.
2014 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
1. Australian Grand Prix 16th March 2014 – Albert Park
2. Malaysian Grand Prix 30th March 2014 – Sepang International Circuit
3. Bahrain Grand Prix 6th April 2014 – Bahrain International Circuit
4. Chinese Grand Prix 20th April 2014 – Shanghai International Circuit
5. Spanish Grand Prix 11th May 2014 – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
6. Monaco Grand Prix 25th May 2014 – Circuit de Monaco
7. Canadian Grand Prix 8th June 2014 – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
8. Austrian Grand Prix 22nd June 2014 – Red Bull Ring
9. British Grand Prix 6th July 2014 – Silverstone Circuit
10. German Grand Prix 20th July 2014 – Hockenheimring
11. Hungarian Grand Prix 27th July 2014 – Hungaroring
12. Belgian Grand Prix 24th August 2014 – Circuit de Spa Francorchamps
13. Italian Grand Prix 7th September 2014 – Autodromo Nazionale Monza
14. Singapore Grand Prix 21st September 2014 – Marina Bay Street Circuit
15. Japanese Grand Prix 5th October 2014 – Suzuka Circuit
16. Russian Grand Prix 12th October 2014 – Sochi International Street Circuit
17. United States Grand Prix 2nd November 2014 – Circuit of the Americas
18. Brazilian Grand Prix 9th November 2014 – Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace
19. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 23rd November 2014 – Yas Marina Circuit
