The 2015 Formula One Grand Prix is well underway, with curtains down on the Australian, followed by the Malaysian and the Chinese Grand Prix events. Lewis Hamilton might be ahead of Sebastian Vettel by 13 points, but there’s still all to race for. With the hotly anticipated Bahrain leg of the competition imminent, we run through our definitive picks for this year’s fixtures.
Bahrain Grand Prix – 17th to 19th April There’s no need to consult with the weatherman on the forecast for this sun-drenched sand trap. A fifteen-corner track meanders into the Sakhir desertscape for a decent whack of its 5.4 kilometre stretch, offering at least three overtaking opportunities, and a challenge for its drivers at a sweltering 57 laps.
Spanish Grand Prix – 8th to 10th May This May the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona will celebrate its 25th anniversary as a Formula 1 venue. An uneven track surface and challenging combination of corners will conspire to test the mettle of even the gutsiest drivers, making for an exhilarating show of nerve and talent.
Monaco Grand Prix – 21st to 24th May Put the date of this decadent Mediterranean race in your F1 calendar in indelible triplicate – it’s the one every serious F1 driver dreams of winning. It might only be 3.3 kilometres around, but Monaco’s epic track weeds out true contenders with its brake-heavy, tightly cornered formula that promises glory to its conqueror.
British Grand Prix – 3rd to 5th July It might be the closest to home, but this event is, by no means, a homely one, with a lavish 5.9 miles of ribbon-like twists and turns to contend with. Last year the track celebrated its 50th year with a win from Lewis Hamilton, his first home win since 2008. It looks like momentum has been sustained – ticket sales are up 7% and since Hamilton won last year’s world title, interest in his home ground shows no sign of putting on the brakes.
Belgian Grand Prix – 21st to 23rd August The longest circuit on the calendar at over 7 kilometres is a favourite with its drivers. While the Belgian track at Spa-Francorchamps might be flat, its weather can turn on a cent-spin. Adding to the variety, the course is a mix of white-knuckle corners and exhilarating straits, making for one of the most rapid events of the season.
Italian Grand Prix – 4th to 6th September Known to the locals as the ‘Pista Magica’, or ‘the magic track’, the Italian Grand Prix 2015 promises to be as tightly tuned as a Ferrari, and just as feisty. Last year’s race was closely contended between Nico Roseberg and Lewis Hamilton, with Hamilton seizing pole position after a run of seven losses.
Singapore Grand Prix – 18th to 20th September A pioneer in many ways, the Singapore Grand Prix was the first night race in Formula One history in 2008, and the first to be run on a street circuit in Asia. This makes for a unique and spectacular evening event, set against the backdrop of one of the most pristine cities in the world.
Brazilian Grand Prix – 13th to 15th November No Brazilian has ever replicated the astounding feats of Ayrton Senna, but his memory keeps the local passion for the sport as alive as it was in his heyday. Set in Interlagos, this is the home circuit of Felipe Massa, and is notorious for its changeable conditions, vacillating wildly between downpours and sunbeams, just to keep things interesting.
German Grand Prix – Cancelled You may have noticed that there was no mention of the German Grand Prix in this run-down of 2015 F1 highlights. Unfortunately, for the first time since 1960, Germany will not be hosting a round of the world championship. The FIA had to cancel the German Grand Prix at the famous Nürburgring where Sebastian Vettel drove it home for Germany with a standout win in 2013. The withdrawal from the championship was a result of financial problems. The plan to relocate to Hockenheimring also failed due to time restraints and poorly forecasted ticket sales.
The absence of a German leg leaves this year’s F1 calendar at a total of just 19 races.