The key differences and stand outs from the 2025 F1 calendar

The calendar for the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship – which will mark the series’ 75th anniversary – is out and features a 24-race schedule that looks a little different to this year’s campaign.

So, what are the main differences?

Well, I’m glad you asked. Australia returns to its familiar slot as the season-opener.

The 5.278km temporary Albert Park circuit – with Melbourne’s stunning skyline as a backdrop – has hosted the Australian Grand Prix since 1996 but moved to hosting the third round in recent years.

READ MORE: FIA and Formula 1 announce calendar for 2025

It remains a hugely popular event. This year’s race had a record attendance on Sunday of 132,106 – 1000 higher than last year, with the overall weekend attendance 452,055 – 7424 higher.

Nice – and am I right in thinking it’s a later start in 2025?

Yep, you got it. The Australian Grand Prix will take place on 14-16 March, two weeks later than the season began this year.

That gives teams an extra couple of weeks to refine their machines before heading to pre-season testing (the date and location of which are TBC) and then onto Australia.

It won’t mean a later finish, though, with the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix one day earlier than it is this year.

READ MORE: The beginner’s guide to the F1 calendar

So, where does this year’s season-opener Bahrain fit in?

With Ramadan in March, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will take place in April.

Bahrain will be round four, forming the middle of a triple header that starts in Japan and ends in Saudi Arabia.

The Grands Prix in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will return to being run on Sunday, having held Saturday evening Grands Prix this season.

That leaves Las Vegas as the only Saturday night race on the 2025 calendar.

Nice, that means Suzuka will still host a race during Sakura season, right?

Correct.

This year, Suzuka looked stunning as it was engulfed in pink and white cherry blossoms that lit up the iconic Japanese circuit.

And it’ll be more of the same next year, with the Japanese race taking place on the same April weekend.

READ MORE: How the Australian Grand Prix is boosting reuse and recycling as F1 embraces the circular economy

What else has changed?

Hungary and Belgium have swapped round, with Hungary moving back to its traditional slot as the final race before the four-week summer break.

That double header follows a new extended break in July, with three weeks between the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and Belgium.

The two-week mandatory factory closure for teams which is enforced by the regulations remains in August, between Hungary and the Netherlands.

The extended breaks we have this year in October and November have disappeared, with the run of races from Azerbaijan in September through to Abu Dhabi in December spaced out more evenly.

What about F1 Sprints. Are they still happening?

Yep, we’ll have six of them across the season. But you’ll have to wait a little longer to find out where they will take place. Watch this space.