Suzuka’s departure means a calendar reshuffle and a potential brand new venue hosting a Grand Prix this Autumn.
We recently bid Suzuka a sad sayonara as we lost the Japanese GP for a second year running due to the coronavirus pandemic. The venue near Nagoya is a long time favourite for fans and drivers alike and in an era where fans are still sorely missed at some venues, perhaps that is none more so than the passionate spectators at the Japanese Grand Prix.
It’s cancellation meant Formula One was left with a Japan shaped hole in the calendar which presented a problem for UK based personnel for which the race was an important buffer after red listed Turkey
In Spa F1 announced a revised calendar which sees 2021 reduced from 23 Grand Prix to 22 – which will still be a huge achievement in the circumstances. After completing the European triple header of the Belgian, Italian and Dutch Grand Prix F1 goes to Sochi as planned, followed by the Istanbul Park Circuit.
The Grand Prix in Turkey, itself a stand-in for Canada in July, was already postponed once due to being on the UK red list and could still be cancelled outright. Still a red-listed country, the event would be replaced by Mugello if a UK government review scheduled for September 16th preserves that status.
Rounds in Austin, Mexico City and Sao Paulo are followed by an unconfirmed venue for November 21st. It is understood F1 is in talks with organisers in Qatar to bring a race to the Losail International Circuit; bringing races in the middle-east to 4 for this year. If a deal isn’t met it’s highly likely Bahrain will host a second event, possibly using last year’s Sakhir GP’s alternative layout.
The first Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia and the traditional season finale in Abu Dhabi make up the closing stages in December.
- September 5: Netherlands
- September 12: Italy
- September 26: Russia
- October 10: Turkey
- October 24: USA
- November 7: Mexico
- November 14: Brazil
- November 21: (TBC)
- December 5: Saudi Arabia
- December 12: Abu Dhabi
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 35 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.