With the provisional calendar announced after Misano, 19 races have been confirmed, with the addition as expected of the Thai GP at the Chang circuit at Burirang.

With the season starting at Qatar as usual, on March 18 (a week earlier than this year) and finishing one week later at Valencia on November 18; but the running order is as this year.

The Thai round is slotted in between Aragon and Japan, with a weekend off on either side. The other flyaway races, Japan, Australia and Malaysia, are on consecutive weekends, as they are this year. The addition of Thailand to the race calendar also means it will replace Australia’s Phillip Island as an early-season test venue. 

The calendar is provisional, but the major uncertainty concerns the British GP, with no venue announced. As reported from Silverstone, Donington Park is anxious to regain the prestigious race, and discussions with Dorna are continuing.

By Michael Scott