Formula 1 releases revised calendar with Imola returning as Chinese Grand Prix is postponed due to COVID-19

Credit: GPBlog.com

Formula 1 has announced that it will return to Imola for the 2021 season after the calendar was reshuffled with Australia being moved back to November and China may not have a place at all in the 2021 schedule due to COVID-19.

It was announced in November that Formula 1 would hold a 23 race-long season, this is the longest a season has ever been in F1 history.

The season was due to start in Melbourne, Australia in March but has been moved back due to COVID-19. The Australian Grand Prix has been rescheduled and is looking likely to take place on 21st November, eight months after its original date.

It emerged that Australia would be unable to host the season-opening round due to their current travel restrictions in place meaning that teams, drivers and personnel are not permitted to enter the country.

This was shortly followed by an announced that the Chinese Grand Prix was seeking a date change due to the pandemic, we are still yet to see if China will now be involved in the 2021 F1 calendar.

Formula 1 confirmed on Tuesday morning the updated 2021 calendar, as Imola will return hosting the championships second round. The track returned to the Formula 1 calendar last season for the first time in 14 years after a heavily-revised calendar was formed.

2021 CALENDAR UPDATE

?? Season starts in Bahrain 26-28 Mar
?? Australia moves to 19-21 Nov
?? Imola returns 16-18 Apr; China discussions ongoing

Dates of Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi races all change#F1 pic.twitter.com/4QoP0gKKsA

— Formula 1 (@F1) January 12, 2021

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix went down as a success in 2020 which saw Imola officials enquire about a potential deal for 2021, as the Vietnam Grand Prix was abandoned.

Another track that sought a spot on the calendar was Portimao, Portugal given its exciting race last season. Although Portimao has not been announced there is still a good chance it could be included in the 2021 calendar.

It is thought that it would be an ideal destination to be able to replace Vietnam especially given that the following round is located in Barcelona. Some fans are calling for the return of the Turkish Grand Prix as it has established itself as a fan favourite but Portugal looks to be the chosen destination.

The postponement of the Australian Grand Prix has subsequently impacted a number of races in the later stages of the calendar as the likes of Brazil has been brought forward by one week to November 7th creating yet another triple header with USA and Mexico weeks before.

The new Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been pushed back to December 5th, while the season finale held in Abu Dhabi will now take place on December 12th. Formula 1 is working with China to try to find a suitable date to help their race but it is thought that the race will only be held if another is cancelled due to COVID-19, as they will not allow the calendar to rise to a 24 race season.

The rescheduled Formula 1 2021 calendar:

28 March – Bahrain GP
18 April – Emilia Romagna GP
2 May – TBC
9 May – Spanish GP
23 May – Monaco GP
6 June – Azerbaijan GP
13 June – Canadian GP
27 June – French GP
4 July – Austrian GP
18 July – British GP
1 August – Hungarian GP
29 August – Belgian GP
5 September – Dutch GP
12 September – Italian GP
26 September – Russian GP
3 October – Singapore GP
10 October – Japanese GP
24 October – United States GP
31 October – Mexico City GP
7 November – Sao Paulo GP
21 November – Australian GP
5 December – Saudi Arabia GP
12 December – Abu Dhabi GP