F1 Grand Prix Holidays & New Year’s Dates
- A look back at how the Formula 1 schedule has evolved, from races held instantly after Christmas too the current practice of ending the season in early December.
- Christmas is now a quiet time for formula 1,but this wasn't always the case.
- In the 1950s and 1960s, as Formula 1 expanded beyond Europe, the racing calendar became more geographically diverse.
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Teh history of Formula 1 Racing Around Christmas
Table of Contents
A look back at how the Formula 1 schedule has evolved, from races held instantly after Christmas too the current practice of ending the season in early December.
Early Formula 1 and the December Races
Christmas is now a quiet time for formula 1,but this wasn’t always the case. In the early decades of the championship, races were sometimes held just days after Christmas Day, and on one occasion, the World Champion title was decided then. This was largely due to the structure of the racing calendar at the time.
In the 1950s and 1960s, as Formula 1 expanded beyond Europe, the racing calendar became more geographically diverse. though,it wasn’t as rigidly tied to the European summer as it is indeed today. The championship often concluded with races in South America or North Africa in December. This presented challenges for teams.
A importent rule change in 1983, mandating that the championship must start no earlier than January 1st, had a major outcome: teams had practically no time to develop new cars. If the season began on the first day of the year, there was no room for development, testing, or major technical innovations over the winter.
As a result, the championship formally started in January, but didn’t truly get underway until the spring, often at the Monaco or Spanish Grand Prix.Sometimes, several months passed between the first and second races of the season. This created a disjointed start to the year.
Notable December Races and Championship Decisions
One notably notable example of a championship being decided in December occurred in 1958.The 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix, held on October 19th, was the final race of the season and saw Mike Hawthorn win the championship by a single point over Stirling Moss. While not *immediately* after Christmas,it demonstrates the historical precedent for season-ending races in December.
Other December races included events in Argentina and South Africa, which frequently concluded the season in the 1950s and 60s. These races were logistically challenging for European-based teams, requiring significant travel and readiness during the holiday season.
| Year | Race | date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Moroccan Grand Prix | october 19 | Mike Hawthorn won the World Championship. |
| 1960 | argentine Grand Prix | February 6 | Final race of the season. |
| 1962 | South African Grand Prix | December 29 | Final race of the season. |
December Races in the Modern Era
In recent years, December races have returned to the Formula 1 calendar, but in a different context. Today, the season typically ends at the turn of November and December, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix usually taking place during the first weekends of December.
The exceptions were the years 2020 and 2021, when the season concluded on december 13 and December 12, respectively, due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.