F1. Time worryingly flies. The Belgian GP (read here the preview) is right behind the corner and Liberty Media is currently facing a head-scratching puzzle to solve, fighting against Covid-19 restrictions, quarantine and logistics. Following the cancellation of the Japanese Grand Prix for the second year in a row, several alternative options have surfaced to fill the gap and, most importantly, ensure that F1 will have a 23-race calendar.
Striving for such an ambitious target does not look consistent with the direction Formula 1 has taken with cost-cutting measures, nor with the return of fans on the grandstands. With still an impressive schedule of 12 more races to go, Liberty Media is callously pursuing the 23-race route at all costs, despite the urge of breaking a record in the middle of a pandemic.
Although the situation is still fluid and extremely precarious, Middle-East races and venues (including Bahrain) represent a reliable fixed point amid countless uncertainties.
Qatar, with Losail Circuit being fully equipped to host an F1 night race, appears to be a valid alternative to fill the empty slot on November 21st, but more issues concerning venues in high-risk countries are clouding the F1 calendar. Both Mexico and Brazil, as it stands, are on the UK’s Red List, which would eventually trigger a double-header scenario at COTA. However, a spike in cases in Texas could potentially put the event at risk. On a side note, let’s not forget that the American venue would also host the F3 season finale.
More uncertainties emerged owing to Turkey’s presence on the Red list as well, which implies a 10-day quarantine upon return in the UK. A potential solution would be swapping Turkey (1-3 October) with Russia (24-26 September), although this would automatically translate into a massive headache related to ticket refunds.
It will be definitely hard for Stefano Domenicali and his team to keep up with the original 23-race plan drawn by Chase Carey, especially when last year’s unprecedented offers with track like Mugello or the Nurburgring are no longer available nor convenient for both parties.
F1-Author: Beatrice Zamuner – @ZamunerB
Foto: Qatar – F1
