LONDON: Formula 1 is all set to submit their newly-released draft calendar of the 2019 World Championship season to the FIA for approval. The governing body of world motorsport will finalize it in a special council meeting on 12 October this year.
For the third time in history, F1 will feature 21 Grand Prix races with 11 of them taking place in Europe, 5 in Asia, 4 in the Americas and 1 in Australia.
The 2019 season will begin on March 17 with the Australian Grand Prix and finish on December 1 with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Next year will also mark an outstanding achievement in the history of the sport, celebrating the 1000th Grand Prix since its inception in 1950. The race which will host this milestone will be the Chinese Grand Prix on April 14th.
Japan will continue to host their Grand Prix till 2021 and it is expected that Honda, which also participates as a power unit supplier in the competition, will remain the title sponsor of the race as well at the Suzuka Circuit. As a result, the country will have another major sporting event on its platter next year alongside the Rugby World Cup with the Olympics to follow the following year.
Similarly, Germany has reached an agreement to continue hosting its Grand Prix in Hockenheim for the same period with Mercedes-Benz likely to replace Emirates as its title sponsor.
Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO at Formula 1 said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that the draft of the 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar is made up of 21 races, as it was this year. In addition, we are honoured the promoters of the long-standing Japanese Grand Prix have agreed to a new long-term deal that will ensure our loyal and knowledgeable Japanese fans will be able to enjoy Formula 1 for more years to come. I am also delighted to confirm that with the very valuable help of Mercedes-Benz, the German automobile clubs ADAC and AvD and the German Minister for Transportation and Digital Infrastructure, we have reached an agreement with the Municipality of Hockenehim and the promoter Hockenheim-Ring GmbH which will allow to once more race at this iconic circuit also in 2019. This demonstrates how all stakeholders within Formula 1 are working together to ensure the long-term future of the sport and its fans.”
Sean Bratches, managing director of Commercial Operations at Formula 1 said: “The renewal of the Japanese Grand Prix and the confirmation of the German Grand Prix are both examples of our direction to place fans at the heart of Formula 1, a vision shared with all our promoters. The successful extension of the Fan Zones at the race circuits, coupled with the colourful city F1 Festivals in London, Shanghai, Marseille, Milan and Miami, prove there is a great appetite for all aspects of Formula 1.”
Takahiro Hachigo, president and representative director at Honda Motor Co. Ltd said: “I want to convey our sincere gratitude to the many fans for their long time support in enabling us to hold the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix 30th Memorial Race in the Suzuka Circuit. We’d love to enjoy the Formula One race which is the top race of motor sports together with all of you and bring additional excitement to motor sports in Japan. Please come to visit it at the circuit. We will be waiting for you all of our fans with the contents to please and amuse you at F1 Honda Grand Prix Race.”
Toto Wolff, team principal & CEO of Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport said: “This year’s Grand Prix in Hockenheim was a demonstration of the enthusiasm that Formula 1 generates in Germany. It was therefore important for us to do everything in our power to ensure that our home race will take place again next year. Together with Formula 1 and all the relevant stakeholders, we have found a way to make it happen. We are delighted that Mercedes-Benz will also be the title sponsor of the German Grand Prix next year.”
