3 Grand Prix put on hold by the FIA and local authorities for 2021
Despite a slightly more conventional schedule this season, the coronavirus epidemic continues to disrupt Grand Prix organization. The Montreal, Singapore and Jeddah events have been classified as "TBA" - To be defined.
Formula 1 organized itself in 2020 to be able to move to different territories while ensuring the health of staff and drivers, and also by respecting the rules set by local authorities as much as possible.
For example, the Bahrain Grand Prix took place in a completely closed “bubble” to the public. Visitors, journalists, drivers, and staff were never allowed to leave the circuit area. Similarly, Formula 1 organized the most airtight bubbles possible between the press and the F1 paddock to prevent outsiders from contaminating the drivers. These processes are a hindrance, but as shown by the number of cases within the paddock, they still seem insufficient. Thus, three people tested positive for Covid-19 in Imola last weekend, and about ten also in Bahrain.
The issue of hosting the Formula One Circus for a country and therefore accepting to welcome many visitors, including journalists, within a very short period of time.
In Canada, for example, any visitor arriving on the territory must undergo a 14-day quarantine. However, Formula 1 cannot afford to have its personnel do nothing for 14 days. These conditions therefore require derogatory clauses to allow the event to take place on time, and it is these health prerogatives that lead Formula 1 to review the status of three Grand Prix races of this 2021 season:
- The Canadian Grand Prix
- The Singapore Grand Prix
- The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Due to an uncertain health situation, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve might be deprived of F1 for the second year in a row.
The Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, fears having to announce bad news – which would have repercussions in the years to come and on the F1 contract with Canada… But she does not intend to give up:
I would really like to be able to announce some good news to you…
« It is not the city that does not want the race, it is its Public Health Department that thinks it is not a good idea, she confides to Radio Canada’s Téléjournal. « We spent a lot of time on the phone […] with our colleagues. A lot of money and contractual elements are at stake »
« I would really like to be able to announce some good news to you, but we still need to work with our key investors. In any case, the City wants to host this Grand Prix. That’s what we hope for.
No deadline has been communicated at the moment, the same goes for Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
