To quote a certain incarcerated NRL player, it’s been a looong time. Since the last Australian Grand Prix hosted at Melbourne’s Albert Park back in 2019, local Formula 1 fans have been repeatedly kicked in the nuggets: cancellation, delay, and cancellation in that order. But if the provisional 2022 F1 calendar circulating online courtesy of veteran journalist Dan Knutson is anything to go by – the opportunity to witness motorsports glory on home soil will return April 10th next year (which is pretty much around the corner).
In the 23-race calendar’s current form, the Australian Grand Prix has been tentatively positioned as the third event. Despite this, according to Drive, insiders have indicated there’s still a chance Australia may lose the 2022 slot altogether. It all hinges on whether there are any major disagreements between Formula 1 organisers and the Victoria government over travel restrictions and quarantine conditions; which was the impetus behind this year’s delay and eventual scrapping. Here’s to hoping mum and dad can work it out, eh?
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The 2022 Formula 1 season will also reportedly open with eight days of testing – almost three times as much as this year – once the World Motor Sport Council gives next year’s calendar plans the green light. The first five days are to be held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain, sometime from February 21st to the 25th, while the last three days are to be held at the Bahrain International Circuit from March 10th to the 12th.
“Both tests will require amendments to F1’s 2022 sporting regulations,” explains Dieter Rencken & Keith Collantine of RaceFans.
“The five-day Catalunya test exceeds the three-day maximum set down in the rules, while the Bahrain test is scheduled to conclude eight days before the opening race of the season at the same track – less than the 10-day minimum currently required.”
Check out the provisional 2022 F1 calendar dates below and stay tuned for when we have a final confirmation for all the moving pieces (provisional tomorrow, final later).
2022 F1 Calendar (Provisional)
- March 20
Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit - March 27
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit - April 10
Australian Grand Prix – Albert Park - April 24
Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai International Circuit - May 8
United States Grand Prix (Miami) – Miami International Autodrome - May 22
Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Catalunya - May 29
Monaco Grand Prix – Monaco - June 12
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit - June 19
Canadian Grand Prix – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - July 3
British Grand Prix – Silverstone - July 10
Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring - July 24
French Grand Prix – Paul Ricard - July 31
Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring - August 28
Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps - September 4
Dutch Grand Prix – Zandvoort - September 11
Italian Grand Prix – Monza - September 25
Russian Grand Prix – Sochi Autodrom - October 2
Singapore Grand Prix – Singapore - October 9
Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka - October 23
United States Grand Prix (Austin) – Circuit of the Americas - October 30
Mexico Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez - November 13
Brazilian Grand Prix – Interlagos - November 20
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina
