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Grand Prix Shakeup Amid ‘Biggest F1 Season Ever’

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By Nick Hall - News

Published: 21 Oct 2021, Last Updated: 22 June 2022

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The current season is not yet over and yet the 2022 Formula 1 calendar already has fans talking. With new races, the return of some old favourites and a few startling omissions, the upcoming season is shaping up to be monumental. In fact, with 23 races slated for the provisional calendar, 2022 is set to be the biggest F1 season ever. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2022 F1 season.

Image: F1.com

Biggest F1 Season Ever

For the first time ever, the 2022 F1 season sees 23 races added to the calendar, up from this year’s 22. As it did in 2021, the season kicks off in Bahrain and will conclude with a season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but in the middle, there are some serious changes. Following a disrupted few seasons, F1 is looking to expand, with a raft of new races and the return of some former favourites. As a result, F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed that the race schedule would have to be adjusted to fit in the extra races and give teams the necessary time to prepare for the season.

“Next year, we’ve launched the calendar with 23 Grands Prix. Thanks to the promoters and the teams, we have adjusted the calendar to start in the middle of March and finish on 20 November, one month before Christmas,” he said. “We were keen to have the right rhythm for the calendar while also keeping the three-week summer break and giving hard-working personnel enough of a break at the end of the season.”

While next year marks the arrival of a new experience in Miami, Domenicali didn’t rule out the prospect of expanding further in the coming years. With interest in the sport only growing thanks to the hit Netflix series Drive to Survive and the ongoing top of the leaderboard battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the worldwide audience more engaged than ever. As a businessman first, Domenicali can clearly see dollar signs on the horizon.

“We have so many requests to host a Grand Prix. It shows our platform is attractive with more and more governments seeing it as an opportunity to develop their businesses, local economy and awareness of their community,” the F1 president and CEO said. “Next year will see the arrival of a new experience in Miami. And that comes after the addition of two new venues in Qatar and Saudi Arabia this year. To have three new events in the space of six months shows the sport is in a strong place.”

Australian Grand Prix Pushed Back

Returning home, the Australian Grand Prix has taken a slight hit, being pushed back to April from its traditional March launch. Considering the current border closures, that might not be such a bad thing. After two years out of the game, Australian F1 fans have been left without an in-person event, a frustration compounded by local hero Daniel Ricciardo’s return to form.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, F1 organisers aimed to avoid clashes with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November but it’s left Australian fans in an odd predicament. The rescheduling of the Albert Park race to the weekend of April 8-10 means it will clash with the AFL season, something it hasn’t done for the past few years. With major disruptions unavoidable, many community sports clubs will have limited or no access to their venues at a time when winter sport will be underway. Not that it’s quashing any excitement over the return of F1 to Australian shores.

“Now more than ever, we need major international events, like the Australian Grand Prix, to not only help our economy recover but to put a spring back in our step,” Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott told the SMH. “It’s not only a fantastic spectacle, it’s also a critical asset for Victoria’s visitor economy. Australians are champing at the bit to once again attend international sporting events and we cannot wait to welcome fans through the gates at Albert Park.”

Miami Confirmed

As announced earlier this year, 2022 will mark the launch of a new event in the US. Formula 1 is slated to return to the state of Florida for the first time since 1959 with the arrival of the new Miami Grand Prix on May 6-8.

Taking place at the 5.41km Miami International Autodrome, situated in the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, the new track promises to deliver some serious thrills and spills. It will feature 19 corners and three straights, with cars set to reach a top speed of 320km/h on a circuit that’s been designed to encourage close racing. it comes at a poignant time as 2022 will mark the introduction of a revolutionary new breed of cars.

Provisional 2022 Formula 1 Calendar

As outlined by the Formula 1 organisation, the 2022 F1 Calendar details the dates and venues slated for every Grand Prix coming out. Here is the provisional calendar so far.

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