Vietnam and Netherlands races put on 2020 F1 schedule

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Next season's Formula One season will feature 22 races, with the Vietnam Grand Prix making its first appearance and the Netherlands GP returning after a long absence.

Both were expected to be added in 2020, but one race from this season's 21-race schedule had to be cut to make room and Germany dropped off the calendar.

The city of Hanoi hosts the Vietnam race on April 5 with the Dutch GP on May 3 at the Zandvoort track on the Dutch coast, which hosted 30 F1 races from 1952-85 and will now be rebuilt.

Monza's hosting of the Italian GP on Sept. 6 remains subject to the signature of an expected contract extension.

The season opens as usual with the Australian GP on March 15, and ends at the Abu Dhabi GP on Nov. 29.

Drivers will need to cope with a testing schedule featuring seven back-to-back race weekends.

The 2020 calendar will be submitted for approval at motorsport governing body FIA's World Motor Sport Council meeting on Oct. 4.