F1: Mexico and Azerbaijan Added to the Calendar

Much like everything else in life, one of the biggest events in the history of motorsport aka Formula One has also weathered its fair share of storms to become the phenomenon it is today. What started as a 7 race championship in 1950, now fields at least 16 races every season. Every F1 season since 2010 has comprised of 19 races except 2012, which included 20 races. But looks like Bernie Ecclestone is in a mood to expand these days, for the championship recently added two more tracks to its list. In fact, one of them is a returning track, while the other is a completely new addition. Mexico, which last appeared on the F1 calendar in 1992, will start hosting the Mexican Grand Prix again from 2015. Do I see Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez doing a celebratory dance somewhere?

No really, they are quite excited about the return of the race to their country. Sergio Perez, who currently drives for Force India, said, "It's great for my country and for all the fans back home, and I'm sure you all will be surprised at how good the event will be." Gutierrez is equally excited and has "good feelings about it." Well, I hope their stint in their home Grand Prix does some justice to the excitement these two are so giddy with.

The other one, aka the newbie to the calendar, Azerbaijan, has received the thumbs up to join the coveted F1 calendar from 2016. To be known as the Grand Prix of Europe, the race will be held on a street circuit around the republic's capital Baku. Located at the Asia-Europe boundary, Azerbaijan will succeed the Grand Prix of Europe title from Valencia, which was dropped from the calendar after 2012.

So if all the teams agree, the 2016 Formula One season could see the F1 calendar fielding more than 20 races for the first time in its history. Just so you know, that could have happened in 2015 too, had the Grand Prix of India not been dropped off the calendar. Sigh!

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