The 2009 Formula 1 Calendar features 17 rounds from 16 different countries run from March 27th to November 1st, and sees numerous differences from the 2008 schedule.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the newest addition to the F1 calendar, and has immediately been given the honour to host the final round of the championship, replacing the traditional season finale at Interlagos, Brazil. The race will take place in the streets of Yas Island, a large natural island which is currently home to a $40 billion development project.
The Canadian Grand Prix was unexpectedly dropped from a revised 2009 calendar, much to the surprise of the organisers. The local government was unable to revert Bernie Ecclestone’s decision, saying they could not afford the amount of money he was demanding for the race to be held. A return to Canada for 2010 has not been ruled out, but this will be only the third year since 1967 that the calendar is without a Canadian round. The French Grand Prix will also be absent after many years of uncertainty. Race organisers withdrew their round from 2009 due to financial problems, this being only the second year in F1 history the sport has not visited France.
In an arrangement the sees the two circuit alternate each year, the German Grand Prix will this year take place at the Nurburgring, instead of the Hockenhiemring. The Japanese Grand Prix will also return to the popular Suzuka circuit, having been held at Fuji for the past two years.
Other notable changes include the later start for the Australian and Malaysian rounds, and the Chinese Grand Prix moving dates from round seventeen in 2008, to the third round in ’09.
[…] Other changes from the provisional calendar include Turkey moving to June from August and the Italian and Belgian races swapping back to this years order. The season will start later than usual with the regular three-week summer break in the mid-season and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the latest addition to the F1 circus. No word has been mentioned about the possible future revival of the US Grand Prix, however, after today’s decision it’s looking even more unlikely. The full calendar can be seen here. […]
[…] The FIA also announced that the final draft of the 2009 schedule will be released in mid-December. The full 2009 calendar can be found here. […]