FORMULA ONE’s 2021 calendar has already been tweaked with the Australian GP dropping back until later in the year.
The Chinese GP has also been pulled from its original slot and there are already rumours of two races in Bahrain to kick off the season.
The F1 track in Hanoi, Vietnam never hosted a single race after Covid saw its debut axedCredit: AFP – Getty
In 2020, we saw the return of tracks in Turkey, San Marino and Portugal, plus a new second track layout in Bahrain.
So where else could F1 look to if they need to plug some gaps in the calendar caused by the ever-changing situation with the pandemic?
SunSport takes a look four options…
VIETNAM
Hanoi Street Circuit
There was huge excitement over a new race in Asia, especially after losing the Malaysian GP and question marks over the future of the Singapore GP.
A brand new track was built and completed in February 2020 ahead of the race, which was scheduled for April 5.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic saw that race scrapped without a single car going around the track.
It now lies dormant and has the honour of being F1’s greatest white elephant and remains a sore point for owners Liberty Media.
A key figure behind the race, Hanoi People’s Committee chairman Nguyen Duc Chung, has since been arrested and there are doubts as to whether the track will ever be used for F1.
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INDIA
Drivers loved the Buddh International Circuit but tax problems saw it axed from the calendarCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Buddh International Circuit
Another sad story of a decent track being caught up in red tape – this time over a tax dispute.
The circuit was opened in October 2011 and while it was only partially finished, it earned rave reviews from the drivers.
There was a challenging sequence of corners that ran through turns ten, 11 and 12, plus elevation changes.
Likened to a rollercoaster, it has a long straight for overtaking and gigantic pitlane.
However, the race was cancelled in 2014 over a tax row with the government, who argued that F1 was not a sport and was instead entertainment and subjected to different tax rates.
As a result, F1 pulled the plug after three Indian GPs – all won by Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull – and never went back.
MALAYSIA
Sepang was a staple on the calendar for nearly 20 years but was pulled due to the rising cost of hosting F1 racesCredit: AP:Associated Press
Sepang International Circuit
Another cracking circuit that hosted F1 from 1999 to 2017.
The layout was beautiful and the track flowed from corner to corner.
Plus, like in India, there were plenty of places to overtake.
Being situated in the middle of a forest and close to Kuala Lumpur it was a favourite for F1 personnel.
However, it was also too expensive for the locals, as the circuit battled against increasing hosting fees.
Their contract ended in 2018 and so far a new deal has not been discussed with Liberty Media.
SOUTH KOREA
The Korea International Circuit was one of the most bizarre, located in the southernmost tip of South Korea in MokpoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Korea International Circuit
Possibly one of the most surreal races ever to be on an F1 calendar, the bizarre race remains a keen talking point.
If you were there for the races between 2010 and 2013, you’d know what I mean.
Located in the southernmost tip of South Korea in Mokpo, it was a four-hour train ride from the international airport.
Hotels were in short supply in what was otherwise a ship-building town, so team’s were forced to stay in love motels – the kind of places rented by the hour.
Sadly, the track was fairly unspectacular but snakes were common.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
