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Australia to host opening race of 2025 Formula One season

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Formula One has released the race dates for next year's 24-round season, which includes the return of Australia as host of the season opener on March 16.

The 2025 calendar, which marks the 75th anniversary of the F1 world championship, will see Melbourne host the opening round for the first time since 2019.

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Bahrain, which has been the first race of the season for the past four years, will become the fourth race, one week after the Japanese Grand Prix and one week before Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia needed to move later in the year to avoid a clash with Ramadan.

The Chinese Grand Prix -- which will make its return to F1 on April 21 after a four-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- will be the second race of the 2025 season and will be held back-to-back with Australia.

As was the case with this year's schedule, F1 claims the calendar was designed to create "a better geographical flow" across the year.

The 2025 schedule released on Friday did not reveal the venues for next year's sprint races, which will be confirmed at a later date.

F1's three U.S. rounds will remain in their usual places on the calendar, with Miami on May 4, Austin on Oct. 19 and Las Vegas on Nov. 22.

As with this season, 2025 will end with a tripleheader across Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

"2025 will be a special year as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship, and it's that legacy and experience that allows us to deliver such a strong calendar," F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said.

"Once again, we'll visit 24 incredible venues around the world, delivering top class racing, hospitality, and entertainment, which will be enjoyed by millions of fans worldwide."

2025 Schedule

March 16 -- Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

March 23 -- Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai

April 6 -- Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka

April 13 -- Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir

April 20 -- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah

May 4 -- Miami Grand Prix, Miami

May 18 -- Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola, Italy

May 25 -- Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco

June 1 -- Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona

June 15 -- Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal

June 29 -- Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg

July 6 -- British Grand Prix, Silverstone

July 27 -- Belgian Grand Prix, Spa Francorchamps

Aug. 3 -- Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest

Aug. 31 -- Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort

Sept. 7 -- Italian Grand Prix, Monza

Sept. 21 -- Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku

Oct. 5 -- Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore

Oct. 19 -- U.S. Grand Prix, Austin

Oct. 26 -- Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City

Nov. 9 -- Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo

Nov. 22 -- Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas

Nov. 30 -- Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail

Dec. 7 -- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina