Formula 1 Officially Announces 2015 Schedule of Races
The FIA has officially unveiled next season's Formula One schedule, which is set to begin on March 15, 2015, with the Australian Grand Prix. An additional race is included next year, taking the total to 20, per the governing body's website.
The Mexican Grand Prix's return will be the 18th race of the season, taking place on Nov. 1. Other notable dates include the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 7, a trip to Germany's Nurburgring on July 19 and the Belgian Grand Prix just over a month later on Aug. 23.
Here's a full look at the 2015 F1 schedule:
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| 1. | Australia | Mar. 15 |
| 2. | Malaysia | Mar. 29 |
| 3. | Bahrain | Apr. 5 |
| 4. | China | Apr. 19 |
| 5. | Spain | May 10 |
| 6. | Monaco | May 24 |
| 7. | Canada | Jun. 7 |
| 8. | Austria | Jun. 21 |
| 9. | Britain | Jul. 5 |
| 10. | Germany | Jul. 19 |
| 11. | Hungary | Jul. 27 |
| 12. | Belgium | Aug. 23 |
| 13. | Italy | Sep. 6 |
| 14. | Singapore | Sep. 20 |
| 15. | Japan | Sep. 27 |
| 16. | Russia | Oct. 11 |
| 17. | USA | Oct. 25 |
| 18. | Mexico | Nov. 1 |
| 19. | Brazil | Nov. 15 |
| 20. | Abu Dhabi | Nov. 29 |
Mexico's addition ensures next year will host the longest season to date. A modified version of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City will be used in F1 for the first time since 1992, per Andrew Benson of BBC Sport.
Nigel Mansell was the last man to win this particular race, with legendary names such as Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger having also taken the plaudits.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg currently leads the 2014 Drivers' Standings ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton. The pair continue to be embroiled in a less-than-friendly rivalry after Hamilton disobeyed team orders to let Rosberg pass at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Rosberg returned the favour after allegedly admitting to hit Hamilton's car on purpose at Spa, reported by Nick Stamford of the Express. Mercedes took action against the German driver for his actions, per Benson, after the championship leader called his move an "error of judgement."
It will take a major change in fortune for anyone other than Rosberg to enter the 2015 season as champion. Although this is the most competitive F1 season in years, the 29-year-old has finished in the top two throughout 11 of the 13 races so far.
An unfortunate gearbox failure saw him retire at Silverstone, while Rosberg's sole finish outside the podium came with a fourth at the Hungaroring. He will be extremely confident of completing the final six races in similar form, capturing his first title in the process.
The 2015 season will usher in plenty of further changes, including alterations to both technical regulations and testing, meaning the field is likely to receive another shakeup next year.
Just like Sebastian Vettel's drop to outside competitor, this season's champion is sure to face many yet-to-be-determined troubles en route to reclaiming their crown when next March's proceedings begin.
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