Formula One’s 21-race calendar is approved

Formula One’s 21-race calendar for 2019 has been approved, with Melbourne, as usual, hosting the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 17.

Governing body FIA said after a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in St Petersburg yesterday that 11 races would be held in Europe, five in Asia, four in the Americas, and one in Australia.

The season will start one week earlier and finish one week later.

FIA said the cars would be heavier — with a weight limit increase from 740 kilograms to 743 — and that fuel-handling procedures during testing are to be the same as during racing.

There will also be more clarity on how grid positions are formed when drivers are hit with multiple engine penalties. Typically, drivers who have made several unauthorised engine-part changes are hit with a penalty of 20-25 places — which sends them to the back of the grid.

But it can be confusing to understand who is starting from where and from how far back if several of the 20 drivers have the same penalty imposed. Schedule: March 17: Australia, Melbourne March 31: Bahrain, Sakhir April 14: China, Shanghai April 28: Azerbaijan, Baku May 12: Spain, Barcelona May 26: Monaco June 9: Canada, Montreal June 23: France, Le Castellet June 30: Austria, Spielberg July 14: Britain, Silverstone July 28: Germany, Hockenheim Aug 4: Hungary, Budapest Sept 1: Belgium, Spa Sept 8: Italy, Monza Sept 22: Singapore Sept 29: Russia, Sochi Oct 13: Japan, Suzuka Oct 27: Mexico, Mexico City Nov 3: United States, Austin Nov 17: Brazil, Sao Paulo Dec 1: Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina