But no place for New Jersey, while Korea pencilled in for April
Wednesday 28 November 2018 08:35, UK
Formula 1 is poised for a record 21-race season in 2014 after details of an expanded provisional calendar, which includes Mexico but not New Jersey, emerged.
The draft schedule, which has been seen by Sky Sports Online, includes an increase of two grands prix over this year's 19-race total with a return to Mexico, a country the sport last visited in 1992, alongside the expected additions of Austria and Russia.
Of the existing races, India is absent with Bernie Ecclestone having already confirmed that organisers have agreed to sit out in 2014 in order to return in an earlier-season slot the following year.
However, having already had what was originally meant to be its 2013 debut postponed, the proposed Grand Prix of America around the streets of New Jersey is again missing from next season's draft list.
Although organisers of what would be the highly-anticipated event have continued to make positive noises over the state of their preparations, paddock insiders have repeatedly expressed doubts over New Jersey's chances of making the final 2014 cut.
Mexico is, however, on the draft list just a fortnight after the first reports that F1 was set to return to Mexico City for the first time in over two decades. The country's interest, and influence, in the sport has been growing since Sergio Perez made his debut at the top level in 2011, countryman Esteban Gutierrez having since replaced the now McLaren driver at Sauber.
Of the other two new events set for 2014, pending the mandatory ratification of the whole calendar by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, Austria's Red Bull Ring has been pencilled in for June 22 with Russia's debut in Sochi kicking off a back-to-back with Abu Dhabi on October 19 - essentially India's old slot.
Despite lingering doubts over the long-term viability of the Korean GP, the event remains on the calendar although has provisionally been moved forward from October to mid-April, as the second leg of a back-to-back with China.
The draft schedule also has Australia in its traditional position at the head of the order, despite speculation earlier in the year that the honour could revert to Bahrain, with an opening race on March 16 - the same weekend in the year as this season's race took place.
The British GP, meanwhile, has been penciled in for July 6 having been moved forward to late June for this year while the following round in Germany reverts to Hockenheim as per the track's race-share arrangement with the Nurburgring.
Draft 2014 calendar
March 16 - Australia (Melbourne)
March 23 - Malaysia (Sepang)
April 6 - China (Shanghai)
April 13 - Korea* (Korea International Circuit)
April 27 - Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 11 - Spain (Barcelona)
May 25 - Monaco (Monaco)
June 8 - Canada (Montreal)
June 22 - Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 6 - Britain (Silverstone)
July 20 - Germany (Hockenheim)
July 27 - Hungary (Budapest)
August 24 - Belgium (Spa)
September 7 - Italy (Monza)
September 21 - Singapore (Marina Bay)
October 5 - Japan (Suzuka)
October 19 - Russia* (Sochi)
October 26 - Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
November 9 - Mexico* (Mexico City)
November 16 - USA (Circuit of the Americas)
November 30 - Brazil (Interlagos)
* (subject to confirmation of track/contract)
