It ran with ten or fewer races through the 1950s and into the late 60s, then started climbing into the teens until it plateaued around 16 races throughout the 80s and 90s. But since then it's been climbing: 17 races after the turn of the millennium, 18 in 2004 and 19 in 2005. The year before last it reached a record 20 races, and now it's back up there again.
Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Beijing this weekend, the FIA has confirmed the calendar for next season, packing a record-matching 20 grands prix. The season is set to kick off as usual in Australia next March before heading to Malaysia, Bahrain and China followed by the first European rounds in Spain and Monaco. Canada follows in June before the circus returns to Europe for the races in Austria, Great Britain, Germany and Hungary, with a month-long break before Belgium and Italy, then heading back overseas to Singapore, Japan, Russia, these here United States, Mexico, Brazil and the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Mexican Grand Prix is the only new addition for next season, sandwiched between the races in Austin and São Paulo.
FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is confirmed as follows:
| 15 March | Grand Prix of Australia |
| 29 March | Grand Prix of Malaysia |
| 05 April | Grand Prix of Bahrain |
| 19 April | Grand Prix of China |
| 10 May | Grand Prix of Spain |
| 24 May | Grand Prix of Monaco |
| 07 June | Grand Prix of Canada |
| 21 June | Grand Prix of Austria |
| 05 July | Grand Prix of Great Britain |
| 19 July | Grand Prix of Germany |
| 26 July | Grand Prix of Hungary |
| 23 August | Grand Prix of Belgium |
| 06 September | Grand Prix of Italy |
| 20 September | Grand Prix of Singapore |
| 27 September | Grand Prix of Japan |
| 11 October | Grand Prix of Russia (Sochi) |
| 25 October | Grand Prix of USA (Austin) |
| 1 November | Grand Prix of Mexico |
| 15 November | Grand Prix of Brazil |
| 29 November | Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi |
