Paris (AFP)
The F1 Grand Prix of the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Canada will not take place this year but three new races, in Germany, Portugal and Italy, were scheduled in October, announced the organizers of the world championship on Friday.
The goal is still to organize 15 to 18 events despite the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the same source said. Three Grands Prix have already taken place in July.
The three new Grands Prix on the calendar are those of Germany on the Nürburgring circuit from October 9 to 11, Portugal on that of Portimao from October 23 to 25 and Emilia-Romagna on that of Imola from October 31 to 1. November. They bring to 13 the number of races scheduled this season for the moment.
Currently, in addition to the three races that have taken place in Austria and Hungary, two more are planned on the Silverstone circuit (Great Britain), one in Barcelona (Spain), one in Spa (Belgium), two in Italy (Monza and Mugello) and one in Russia (Sochi).
"We are happy to welcome Portimão as a new circuit in the F1 calendar and to see Imola and the Nürburgring return, which have hosted Grands Prix in the past," the statement said.
"After long discussions and in close collaboration with our partners, we can also confirm that due to the very fluid nature of the situation on the Covid-19 pandemic front, the restrictions made at the local level and the importance to preserve the health of communities and our colleagues, it will not be possible to run in Brazil, the United States, Mexico and Canada this season, "the same source continued.
© 2020 AFP