The 2021 F1 season will start in Bahrain in March

Formula 1 will return a week later than originally planned, after the Australian GP was postponed because of “the ongoing situation regarding Covid-19”. The traditional season-opening GP in Melbourne will now take place on 21 November, meaning the first race of this year’s F1 calendar will be the Bahrain GP on 28 March.

The Chinese GP, originally scheduled for 11 April, has also been postponed. No new date has been announced, but F1 says “discussions with the promoter and authorities in China are ongoing, with the potential to reschedule the race later in the season if possible”. Imola will take its place on the calendar, with a race on 18 April.

Just 17 of the planned 22 grands prix went ahead last year, but a record-breaking 23 races are planned for 2021. The running order, as published on F1's website and which is still subject to change, looks like this:

• 28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir)
• 18 April - Italy (Imola)
• 2 May - TBC
• 9 May – Spain (Barcelona)
• 23 May – Monaco (Monaco)
• 6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku)
• 13 June – Canada (Montreal)
• 27 June – France (Le Castellet)
• 4 July – Austria (Spielberg)
• 18 July – United Kingdom (Silverstone)
• 1 August – Hungary (Budapest)
• 29 August – Belgium (Spa)
• 5 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)
• 12 September – Italy (Monza)
• 26 September – Russia (Sochi)
• 3 October – Singapore (Singapore)
• 10 October – Japan (Suzuka)
• 24 October – USA (Austin)
• 31 October – Mexico (Mexico City)
• 7 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
• 21 November - Australia (Melbourne)
• 5 December - Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
• 12 December - Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)

Fingers crossed the gap on 2 May is filled by Portimao in Portugal, which made its F1 debut last year. Tracks hosting their first F1 race this year, having not been able to do so last year, are Zandvoort in the Netherlands and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.