FORMULA ONE has announced its 2021 race calendar with the British Grand Prix taking place on July 18.
Previous years had seen the event clash with other major fixtures on the sporting calendar.
But F1 bosses have agreed to push the race at Silverstone back a week to dodge the Euro 2020 final and Wimbledon Men’s final on July 11.
The series lands in Britain for the midway point of a 23-race season although one destination is yet to be confirmed.
The Vietnamese Grand Prix was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the race is missing from next year’s schedule as well.
Political concerns are reportedly behind the race being dropped.
There are also worries over the Brazilian GP at Interlagos.
The Sao Paulo circuit was named in Tuesday’s announcement but is yet to agree a new contract with F1, its previous deal having expired in 2020.
Work began last year on the partial street circuit in Hanoi that would host the Vietnam GPCredit: AFP or licensors
There are also concerns over fan favourite Interlagos and whether that will host a race in BrazilCredit: Getty Images – Getty
F1 in 2021 kicks off with the traditional opener in Australia, taking place on March 21.
A double-header in Bahrain and China could be followed by a long break if no replacement circuit can be found for Vietnam’s slot on April 25.
Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, also yet to agree a new F1 contract, kicks off the European stint on May 9.
And F1 heads back to Monaco, Azerbaijan, France and Canada after cancelling their races amid the pandemic.
It means there is no space for the likes of Mugello, Portimao, Imola or Nurburgring despite the popular return to a number of legacy circuits in 2020.
A summer break will take place between Hungary on August 1 and Spa on August 29.
The sport returns in the autumn with the lone triple-header of the campaign and races in Belgium, the debut of Zandvoort, and Italy.
Singapore, Japan and the United States are among those to welcome back F1 later in the year before the question mark of Brazil on November 14.
The sport’s bosses have signed a deal to race at a new track outside of Rio de Janeiro but environmental concerns, with the circuit requiring forest area be cut down, may see Interlagos remain on the calendar.
Human rights concerns have nevertheless been brushed off with Saudi Arabia awarded the penultimate race of the season, on a street circuit in Jeddah.
The season closes on December 5 at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.
Lewis Hamilton admits he doesn’t know if he’ll be in F1 next year after winning Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
