The 2016 season looks set to extend into December for the first time as the calendar reaches a record-breaking 21 races in a single season with the addition of Azerbaijan.
Whilst earlier reports claimed that Malaysia would take up the final slot, it’s believed Abu Dhabi will remain as the last race, with Malaysia moving to the penultimate position.
The extension into December, which has yet to be confirmed, is down to the later start in April, rather than March, the additional race and the teams unwillingness to scrap the summer break.
However Lotus driver Romain Grosjean is in favour of reducing it.
“To be fair…this year [the break] felt quite long, three and a half weeks. Next year is a bit shorter. It’s fine, I was getting bored! I’d rather have a [uninterrupted] season and then some break and I think this winter is going to be a bit good.
“We finish in December and then you have March testing so that gives you December, January and February off. There’s not a lot of work when you can find three months off!”
When asked about the December finish, he replied: “That’s something you need to talk [about] with my wife!”
Meanwhile Malaysia’s move from beginning to end of the season comes after Bernie Ecclestone scheduled it as a back-to-back race with Singapore, but organisers of the latter race were unhappy, claiming it could detract from both events.
