Brace Yourselves: 2014 F1 Calendar Is 22 Races And 259 Days Long

Image source: Autoweek

The FIA - Formula 1's governing body - has released a provisional calendar for the 2014 Formula 1 World Championship, featuring a staggering 22 races.

2014 could see the sport return to the likes of Austria and Mexico as well as debuting in Russia and New Jersey. With four races being added and one being taken off the calendar, the Indian Grand Prix will return in an early 2015 slot. It's certainly shaping up to be a jam-packed season.

Image source: Autoguide

The calendar features five back-to-back races and a triple header for Monaco, New Jersey and Canada. However, this is something that the F1 teams feel is completely impossible and looks likely to change.

The future of a race in New Jersey, with the Manhattan skyline in the background, had looked uncertain but the race organisers have managed to get their act together and it's now provisionally on the schedule, subject to circuit approval. The same can also be said for Mexico which hasn't hosted a Formula 1 round since 1992.

Image source: Sky Sports F1

Notable changes in comparison to this year's calendar - aside from the boost in numbers - include the Korean Grand Prix (which is where the 2013 season is heading next) being moved forward to the fifth slot on the calendar, Austria's F1 return being confirmed with a June 22nd date and Russia's debut race moving to join a double-header with Japan.

A date to definitely note down in your calendar is the British Grand Prix at the iconic Silverstone circuit on July 6th. The 2014 calendar looks, for now, to be the longest in the sport's history with 259 days between the season opener in Australia and the curtain-closer in Brazil.

However, the FIA have plenty of time to make amendments and an official calendar is expected to be announced in December.