The FIA World Motor Sport Council has been meeting today in Vienna and there will soon be an announcement of a new F1 calendar for 2017 which has a number of changes to the original version published earlier this year. The season will still start as planned on March 26 in Melbourne and the first seven races will be as previously announced, but the Azerbaijan race will move back a week to June 25. This means that Austria, Britain and Hungary will also each go back a week and will now be on July 9, July 16 and July 30. The German GP (scheduled for July 30) is no longer on the calendar. After the summer break, there is no change for Belgium and Italy, but Malaysia and Singapore are swapping places so that the race in Singapore will be on September 17 and Malaysia will be on October 1, with Japan a week later. This means that the F1 circus will have to fly backwards and forwards to Asia twice, or stay away from home for a month. There is another change at the end of the year with Mexico moving forward from November 5 to October 29, to be back-to-back with Austin. There is then a two-week break before Brazil, although this is still provisional, although it is believed a deal has been struck with the Brazilian government for the race to go ahead as usual. The season will end at Abu Dhabi on November 26.
The full schedule is expected to be: March 26, Australia; April 9, China; April 16, Bahrain; April 30, Russia; May 14, Spain; May 28 Monaco; June 11, Canada; June 25 Azerbaijan; July 9, Austria; July 16, Britain; July 30, Hungary; August 27, Belgium; September 3, Italy; September 17, Singapore; October 1, Malaysia; October 8, Japan; October 22, United States; October 29, Mexico; November 12, Brazil; November 26 Abu Dhabi.
joeblogsf1 
The fact there is now no German, French and indeed nothing in the whole continent of Africa, cheapens the whole concept of a world championship. There’s far too much chasing of pounds and pence by Mr E and scant regard for the rich history of F1. I’d like to think that the new owners will be more flexible but I’m not too hopeful. Thank goodness there’s some new regulations to enjoy.
No conflict with LeMans ?
We had Singapore before Malaysia this year as well, so what is the swap?? confused:))
The provisional calendar had them reversed
Canadian GP all on its own makes no sense, shipping wise!
It has been like that for years
Will the race in Baku still be called the European GP even though it is ridiculous?
Hey, Baku is as much a part of Europe as Dijon was a part of Switzerland….
Such a shame the season doesn’t end in Brazil instead of the turgid and lifeless Abu Dhabi. Glad there is no Le Mans clash, however. Be great to see some of the F1 brigade take on the 24 hours a la Hulk last year…..Alonso in a Porsche would be interesting….
As it happens we are n Vienna and today we saw a big shindig was going on and realised it was the FIA meeting. My wife excitedly said”great, will there be anyone we know here?” I replied “No, just the blazers and John Todt”
“Oh, I don’t like him” she replied as we quickly moved on.
Sort of fits with your earlier piece about public perceptions being formed by the media. He might actually be a very nice guy.
Jeff No current F1 drivers at Goodwood FoS in 2017 then ….
No current F1 drivers at Goodwood FoS 2017 then ….
Joe; any likelihood of an ‘audience with Joe’ in the week prior to British GP?
Yes.
Thanks; that’s great to hear. I’ll aim to be there.