Formula 1 looks set for a record 21-race calendar in 2014, with the season kicking off earlier than usual to accomodate two new races.
Not only will the racing season begin earlier, testing will too. The teams are believed to have agreed to a pre-season test in January in order for them to get some early running with the new power units.
The first test, to be held in Jerez, is likely to take place on January 21st, lasting four days. The locations of the final two tests haven’t been confirmed, but Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Bahrain are in the running to host both – the latter being preferred.
With the season likely to begin two weeks earlier than usual in Bahrain – rather than Australia – on March 2nd, having the final test on the island kingdom makes sense as it would only be a week or two before the race.
A record breaking calendar also looks likely with the addition of Russia and New Jersey. At present we have 19 races following the loss of Valencia (Europe), and there are no signs of any race being dropped.
It’s worth noting nothing has been ratified for 2014 yet. This proposal must be signed off by the FIA later in the year before it becomes official and, requires a change in the regulations to allow for testing to take place in January.
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