Formula 1 releases 23-race calendar for 2022 season

Formula One has announced its planned calendar for its 2022 season with races in Australia, Singapore, Japan and Canada - each cancelled for the past two seasons - returning to the schedule.

However, the ongoing impact of COVID-19 has seen the Chinese Grand Prix dropped from the Series’ for the third successive year.

Ratified by the World Motor Sport Council on Friday, the season marks the start of a new era, with major rule changes.

Running over a 36-week period, it will open in Bahrain on 20th March and conclude in Abu Dhabi on 20th November, with the Australian F1 Grand Prix scheduled for the third round of the 2022 season, on 10th April.

This year the season will finish in Abu Dhabi on 12th December but F1 has brought the end of its 2022 season forward so that its finale avoids clashing with the FIFA World Cup, which will begin in Qatar on 21st November.

The program presents a potentially gruelling test for the teams, with one more race than this year but running across a shorter period and including two triple-headers.

Explaining there being no Shanghai Grand Prix in 2022, a Formula 1 statement advised “due to ongoing pandemic conditions, China will not be included on the 2022 calendar. China will be restored to the calendar as soon as conditions allow.”

Australia's race in Melbourne, the season-opener in recent years, has been scheduled as the third round to allow more time for an easing of the country's travel restrictions.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Executive, Andrew Westacott advised “now more than ever we need major international events, like the Australian Grand Prix, to not only help our economy recover but to put a spring back in our step.”

This year was supposed to have 23 races as well but has ended up with 22, using Turkey's Istanbul Park and Portugal's Portimao circuits as stand-ins to fill gaps left by cancellations, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar will debut later in the year.

Looking forward to the season, Formula 1 Chief Executive, Stefano Domenicali stated “we are excited to announce the 2022 calendar as we prepare to enter a new era for the sport with brand new regulations and cars for next year that are designed to create closer racing

"We look forward to welcoming more fans back next season and hope 2022 feels more normal than the life we have all experienced in the past two years."

Image: Start lights at the Australian Grand Prix.