Formula 1

CHINESE GP 2021 – EVENT IS NOW HIGHLY UNCERTAIN

Published

2 years ago

09/01/2021

CHINESE GP 2021 - EVENT IS NOW HUGELY UNCERTAIN

Formula 1’s 2021 calendar is already in a state of flux with almost one-third of the season set to change from the original plan.

However, F1’s efforts in tackling potential problems early mean the championship seems to retain optimism a full 23-race schedule will be fulfilled.

As reported this week, the Australian Grand Prix is poised to be postponed. Shortly after that emerged, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation told that negotiations are ongoing to hold the race but only “in 2021” – crucially not in March, as planned.

Chinese GP promoter seeking 2021 F1 race postponement.

The Chinese Grand Prix looks set to become the second 2021 Formula 1 race to be postponed as a result of COVID-19.

China is currently listed as the third event on the provisional calendar, but with a new rise in coronavirus cases in the country, the race promoter has confirmed plans to push the race back to the second half of the season.

The season is scheduled to begin in March in Australia, but this will almost certainly not happen with an announcement expected next week that the race will be postponed.

China looks likely to follow suit with the promoter saying an early 2021 event is now “hugely uncertain”.

“We have been in contact via conference call almost every week”, the race promoter Yibin Yang told local media, as quoted by Autosport.

“Despite the calendar being in place as usual, I think it’s hugely uncertain the F1 race would take place in the first half of the year, in April.

“We aim to swap it to the second half of the year, and we have formally submitted the request that we hope to move it to the second half of the year.”

The early races on the schedule are all likely to be impacted with Australia poised to be postponed and shifted to a provisional November date.

Australia’s expected postponement would pave the way for Bahrain to hold the opening round on its current date of March 28.

The venue is also set to be confirmed as the host of pre-season testing, with plans to shift the three-day test from Barcelona.

However Portugal could once again slot into a revised schedule, taking China’s spot, with Imola likely to assume the ‘TBC’ spot on April 25.

Worsening situations around the world mean F1 must remain flexible for a little while longer. Its strategy of hoping for the best and planning for the worst is at least well suited to that.