The Chinese Grand Prix also threatened

Last year, the first events to be canceled due to the Covid-19 crisis were already the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix. Due to the resurgence of the virus, the promoters of these two Grand Prix are very uncertain about being able to host the F1 grid on the scheduled date.

This is notably the situation in Great Britain that is concerning minds. Indeed, as the majority of F1 teams are based in this country, the latest travel restrictions could force F1 officials to postpone certain championship dates.

The two Grand Prix promoters would like a postponement to a later date in the calendar, but the margin is very tight, which should either lead to a complete overhaul of the calendar or a total cancellation.

« We are in contact with F1 via videoconference almost every week », said Yibin Yang, promoter of the Chinese Grand Prix. « Despite the usual schedule, it is highly unlikely that the F1 race can take place in the first half of the year, in April. We hope to place it in the second half of the year, and we have formally sent the request to move it to the latter part of the season. »

Portimão and Imola to replace them?

If the issue of congestion at the end of the calendar arises, the opposite is also on the table with two potential gaps to fill in April, with the postponement of the Vietnam Grand Prix which was scheduled for April 25th.

If the opening round could be the Bahrain Grand Prix, followed by the traditional Australian Grand Prix, two unusual rounds from last year are in the running to take place in April.

Firstly, Portugal could take over the date of the Chinese Grand Prix and host a second consecutive Grand Prix, after hosting F1 last year for the first time since 1996.

Fifteen days later, the F1 paddock is expected to go to Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, which should take place on the date of the Vietnam Grand Prix.

The coming weeks will be decisive to get a clear idea of the 2021 Formula 1 season start. So stay tuned to Motors Inside!