Formula 1 2016 season to feature 21 races

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.

2016 Formula One race schedule:

March 20, Melbourne, Australia

April 3, Bahrain, Bahrain

April 17, Shanghai, China

May 1, Sochi, Russia

May 15, Barcelona, Spain

May 29, Monte Carlo, Monaco

June 12, Montreal, Canada

June 19, Baku, Azerbaijan

July 3, Spielberg, Austria

July 10, Silverstone, United Kingdom

July 24, Budapest, Hungary

July 31, Hockenheim, Germany

August 28, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

September 4 Monza, Italy

September 18, Singapore, Singapore

October 2, Sepang, Malaysia

October 9, Suzuka, Japan

October 23, Austin, USA

October 30, Mexico City, Mexico

November 13, Sao Paulo, Brazil

November 27, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Source: AFP