PROVISIONAL 2021 FORMULA 1 CALENDAR RELEASED

Formula 1 has today let the motor racing cat out of the bag and published the provisional calendar for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

The most notable change to 2020’s season is the dropping of the Vietnam Grand Prix from the schedule. This was not totally unexpected with investigations in that country around corruption amongst the organisers and city officials still ongoing.

It’s estimated that the Hanoi race was worth around $50m in revenue for Formula 1 and the organisation was clearly keen to replace that lost revenue with an alternate. With this in mind Liberty has announced the addition of Saudi Arabia to the calendar.

The season will start in Australia in mid-March and finish in Abu Dhabi in early December.

The dropping of the Vietnam race also leaves a gap in the schedule, and many are hoping that this can be replaced with a return to Portimao, a race that both drivers and fans enjoyed.

Another change is the provisional return to Sao Paulo. The Interlagos circuit was originally left off the expected schedule with a return planned for Rio de Janeiro.

As yet, planning consent for the building of the new Rio circuit has not been granted and there is strong opposition from environmental quarters as well as world champion Lewis Hamilton, over the need to clear areas of forest for the track to be built.

If the Interlagos race is to go ahead it will need to be under the control of a new promotor as Liberty has clearly stated that it will not deal with the previous promoter who is a close friend of Bernie Ecclestone.

A Liberty Media statement read, “The plans for 2021 have involved extensive dialogue with all promoters and their local and national authorities at a time of ongoing fluidity related to the global pandemic. Formula 1 and the FIA put in place robust health and safety measures to allow the revised 2020 season to restart and run effectively. Our hosts for 2021 are reassured by our safe return to racing this season and confident that the plans and procedures we have in place will allow us to return to a level of normality for the 2021 season.

Formula 1 has also stated that it expects spectators to be allowed to attend races in 2021. We will continue to work closely with our promoters and partners and look forward to the start of the season on the 18th March 2021 in Australia.”

Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are pleased to announce the 2021 Formula 1 provisional calendar after extensive conversations with our promoters, the teams and the FIA. We are planning for 2021 events with fans that provide an experience close to normal and expect our agreements to be honoured.

The provisional F1 calendar for 2021, along with those for the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships, remains subject to approval by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.

Provisional 2021 F1 calendar

21 March – Australia (Melbourne)
28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir)
11 April – China (Shanghai)
25 April – TBC (TBC)
9 May – Spain (Barcelona)*
23 May – Monaco (Monaco)
6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku)
13 June – Canada (Montreal)
27 June – France (Le Castellet)
4 July – Austria (Spielberg)
18 July – United Kingdom (Silverstone)
1 August – Hungary (Budapest)
29 August – Belgium (Spa)
5 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)
12 September – Italy (Monza)
26 September – Russia (Sochi)
3 October – Singapore (Singapore)
10 October – Japan (Suzuka)
24 October – USA (Austin)
31 October – Mexico (Mexico City)
14 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo)*
28 November – Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
5 December – Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi)

*Subject to contract

JDC is looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Formula 1 in 2021 for what is expected to be a very exciting and closely run season. If you’d like to experience any of the races on the 2021 calendar, then take a look at our Paddock Club™ hospitality packages or contact JDC Promotions and let us build a bespoke package for you and your guests.

ianhucklesby

Editor-in-Residence, JDC Promotions Media Centre