New Jersey & Mexico to drop off F1 calendar?

Formula One’s provisional 2014 calendar could drop down from 22 races to 20, with the loss of both New Jersey and Mexico.

Both venues had hoped to have been new tracks for next seasons Formula One schedule, but their addition was always under-threat.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone made his first appearance in the F1 paddock at Abu Dhabi since September and in coincidental circumstances, the news on the possible change to the calendar has managed to work its way out to the media.

The new venues had only been given provisional slots on the draft calendar which was released at the end of September, the FIA are yet to ratify the details ahead of next season.

A lot of people in the Formula One paddock remain sceptical about a race in New Jersey, despite it holding a contract for next season and reportedly currently having the funding in place.

While the Mexican Grand Prix organisers have their own race on their hands to complete major upgrade work at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.

Due to these issues it now looks likely that both could drop from the schedule, leaving Formula One a 20 race calendar, which incidentally would please the majority of teams on the grid.

However if problems continue with Korea and Russia, the season could decrease even further.

2014 Draft Calendar

16 March: Australia (Melbourne)

30 March: Malaysia (Sepang)

6 April: Bahrain (Sakhir)

20 April: China (Shanghai)

27 April: Korea (Korea International Circuit)*

11 May: Spain (Barcelona)

25 May: Monaco (Monaco)

1 June: Grand Prix of America (New Jersey)*

8 June: Canada (Montreal)

22 June: Austria (Red Bull Ring)

6 July: Britain (Silverstone)

20 July: Germany (Hockenheim)

27 July: Hungary (Budapest)

24 August: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)

7 September: Italy (Monza)

21 September: Singapore (Marina Bay)

5 October: Russia (Sochi)*

12 October: Japan (Suzuka)

26 October: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

9 November: USA (Austin)

16 November: Mexico (Mexico City)*

30 November: Brazil (Interlagos)

* Subject to the circuit approval