Before we go racing this weekend at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the Formula 1 Johnnie Walker Belgian Grand Prix, we take a look at the round-up of news from over the summer break.

Formula 1 Calendar News

We start off with news on the 2020 F1 calendar, as the sport released the draft schedule of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship, which features a record-breaking 22 Grands Prix.

The 70th Anniversary season of Formula 1 begins with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 15 and will end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 29.

There will be seven back-to-back race weekends along with Vietnam hosting it’s first Grand Prix in Hanoi on April 5 and the returning Dutch Grand Prix at the legendary Zandvoort circuit on May 3.

The Italian Grand Prix’s contract extension is still being finalised.

Next we take a look at both the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix and Formula 1 Mexican Grands Prix, which have their contracts extended. Starting off with the recent announcement, Spain:

Spanish GP Contract Renewal

The Spanish Grand Prix will continue to be on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar in 2020 after the agreement was signed by the Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya – in partnership with the Government of Catalonia, Real Automovil Club de Barcelona and the Montmelo Town Council.

“We are pleased to confirm that the Spanish Grand Prix will be on the calendar of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship,” explained Formula 1 Chairman and CEO Chase Carey. “The decision to continue to stage a round of the pinnacle of motor sport in Spain, a country with a great motor racing tradition, dating back to the start of the last century, is part of our strategy of maintaining Formula 1’s European roots, while also currently expanding the championship into new territories.”

“The promoter’s willingness to be part of Formula 1 going into 2020 is proof of the sport’s ability to act as a catalyst for regions to hold world class events and also to have a positive impact on the area’s economy. In the coming months, we will continue our discussions to see if we can further extend this advantageous relationship. In the meantime, I would like to thank Quim Torra, the Catalan President for his vital support in these negotiations, in the hope of celebrating a fantastic 50th Spanish Grand Prix in 2020, the 30th to be held at one of the most technically demanding circuits on the World Championship calendar.”

The Spanish Grand Prix will be celebrating their 50th year in 2020 on being in the calendar of one of the FIA’s most important racing categories. It will also be the 30th consecutive year that the event has been run at the Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. It is also the usual home of winter testing alongside the Grand Prix.

Mexican GP Contract Renewal

Mexico City will continue to host Formula 1 at the Autodromo Hermano Rodriguez until the end of 2022 after a deal was agreed to by F1 officials, the Corporacion Interamericana de Entretenimiento and the Government of Mexico City.

A huge 1.3 million+ fans have attended the highly vibrant event since it returned to the calendar in 2015 and the contract extension gives the opportunity for Mexico City to carry on it’s position as a world-class tourist hot-spot as well as supporting the development in the local economy. It has decided five world championship titles in the past and is a favourite amongst the drivers and the teams.

“We are pleased to have renewed our partnership with Mexico City, which will now host the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix until at least 2022,” said Carey. “Ever since it returned to the championship calendar in 2015, this event has always proved to be amazingly popular with the public and fans, not just in Mexico, but also around the world.”

“Proof of this is the fact that the race promoter has won the FIA award for the best event no fewer than four years in a row and, in those four years, over 1.3 million spectators have attended the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix has also been an important economic driver for the city, reinforcing its credentials as a centre for tourism. I would like to thank the Mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the entire government of Mexico City for all their efforts in ensuring that Formula 1 continues in Mexico and I look forward to seeing another big crowd of fans at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez from 25 to 27 October for the Formula 1 Gran Premio de Mexico 2019.”

Albon replaces Gasly at Red Bull from Belgian GP onwards

One of the stories in the summer was the switch between Alexander Albon being promoted to the senior outfit at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing whilst Pierre Gasly returns to the junior squad Toro Rosso. You can read the story at the link: @alex_albon replaces @PierreGASLY at @RedBullRacing from #BelgianGP onwards. #F1

F1 Belgian Grand Prix Press Conference Schedule

THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST, 1500 HOURS LOCAL TIME

• Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport)
• Sergio Pérez (SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team)
• Alexander Albon (Aston Martin Red Bull Racing)
• Max Verstappen (Aston Martin Red Bull Racing)
• George Russell (ROKiT Williams Racing)

FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST, 1300 HOURS LOCAL TIME

• Guenther Steiner (Rich Energy Haas F1 Team)
• Toyoharu Tanabe (Honda)
• Otmar Szafnauer (SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team)
• Cyril Abiteboul (Renault Sport F1 Team)
• Franz Tost (Scuderia Toro Rosso)

SATURDAY, 31 AUGUST, POST-QUALIFYING

• Three quickest drivers from Qualifying

SUNDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER, POST-RACE

• Top three finishing drivers

A glimpse of Formula 1 in 2021

Last week a video brought us a glimpse of what Formula 1 in 2021 could be, with a 50% scale model running in a wind tunnel for the first time using 18-inch tyres. The sport is aiming to improve a cars ability to follow another closely in a bid to increase overtaking. One of the main objectives is to reduce the wake disruption levels, which is currently at a level of 50%.

You can read more on the exciting development on the 2021 car at the link: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-formula-1s-2021-car-in-the-wind-tunnel.6ye3S7Pb8NRX1K7PjTBxtS.html