F1 in 2018: Guide to the 21-race calendar

Editor 13 Feb 2018 12:30 PM

The new season is slowly creeping up on us, so let’s see what is in store over the next 10 months…

What has changed?

Although we have one extra race to look forward to this season, we did unfortunately lose the Malaysian Grand Prix after 18 years on the calendar.

But 2018 marks the return of two European races, with the French Grand Prix coming back for the first time since 2008 and the German Grand Prix returning to the Hockenheimring following a one-year absence.

Pre-season

Nearly all teams will have launched their 2018 challengers by Sunday, February 25, which is on the eve of the first four-day test to be held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona (Feb 26 – March 1). Toro Rosso will be launching on the first morning of testing.

Meanwhile, the likes of McLaren will be hoping to avoid a repeat of this particular scene…

After blowing away the cobwebs, a weekend of recovery follows before the second winter test which runs from March 6 to March 9.

Australian Grand Prix, March 25

Two weeks later, we head to Albert Park in Melbourne for the traditional curtain-raiser.

Bahrain Grand Prix, April 8

In a slight change to last year, the Chinese Grand Prix has swapped places with the Bahrain Grand Prix to avoid a clash with a national holiday.

Chinese Grand Prix, April 15

We now head to Shanghai the following week, which features one of the longest straights on the Formula 1 calendar.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix, April 29

After a week off to recharge the batteries, we jet off to the capital city of Baku where hopefully another bonkers race will be in store.

Spanish Grand Prix, May 13

The Formula 1 roadshow then heads back to the scene of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Monaco Grand Prix, May 27

Then it is on to the first of the jewels in Formula 1’s crown – and none are shinier than the Circuit de Monaco.

Canadian Grand Prix, June 10

It is then time for our first trip across the Atlantic Ocean for the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

French Grand Prix, June 24

The returning French Grand Prix marks the start of a demanding triple-header of races which has been implemented to avoid a clash with the World Cup final . We haven’t seen the Paul Ricard circuit in F1 since 1990.

Austrian Grand Prix, July 1

The fast and furious Red Bull Ring provides the meat in the sandwich.

British Grand Prix, July 8

And we finish off the triple-header with the iconic British Grand Prix at Silverstone before the drivers and teams take a well-earned rest.

German Grand Prix, July 22

Then it is across the Channel to set up camp again in mainland Europe. The last of the returnees is first on the agenda.

Hungarian Grand Prix, July 29

We zoom over to Budapest for the last race before the summer break kicks in.

Belgian Grand Prix, August 26

After a month of no track action, we easily get back in the mood for Formula 1 with the first of two classic races, starting at the legendary Spa circuit.