Paris: The 2016 Formula One season will feature 21 races, up on the 20 which were staged this season, and will see Azerbaijani capital Baku make its bow on the schedule.
The FIA said the season will start again in Australia on March 20 and end in Abu Dhabi on November 27.
However, the United States Grand Prix in Austin, pencilled in for October, remains a provisional date due to local funding issues while the European Grand Prix in Baku may switch dates to avoid a clash with the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race running the same June 19 weekend.
Amongst technical changes, the sport’s tyre supplier Pirelli will provide three dry-weather compounds instead of two with the aim of spicing up strategy over a racing weekend.
The World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris also approved a mandate for the FIA President, Jean Todt and commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone to make recommendations over governance, engines and cost reduction.
All these issues plagued the sport in the 2015 season which ended on Sunday.
“Mr Todt and Mr Ecclestone expressed their intention to establish conclusions on these matters by January 31, 2016,” said a FIA statement.
