FIA approves 2019 calendar and new rain lights

Formula One's governing body the FIA has signed off on the 21-race calendar for the 2019 world championship following a World Motor Sport Council meeting on Friday.

The calendar confirms the provisional schedule released by F1's owners Liberty Media in August. The season will begin on March 17 at the Australian Grand Prix and finish Dec. 1 in Abu Dhabi.

The FIA also approved a number of technical rule changes, including the alignment of overtaking protocols once safety cars return to the pits and the introduction of additional rain lights on rear wing endplates. The rain light solution was first tested by Mercedes earlier this year and is designed to offer better visibility of the lights for…