Hockenheim and Imola could yet return to the revised Formula One calendar this year with a report yesterday saying the sport is considering two more races in Europe.
F1 this week revealed eight races to start the season delayed by the coronavirus outbreak, all in Europe, from July 5 in Austria to September 6 in Monza, Italy.
The intention was then to begin the flyaway races over a three-month stretch before concluding with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.
But the Auto, Motor und Sport magazine reported that Germany’s Hockenheim and Italian tracks Imola and Mugello could yet get a call.
As three Italian venues seem undesirable, the magazine claims Hockenheim has a “good chance” of securing a late berth.
The German circuit has declared itself willing to hold a race after all if financial agreement can be reached with F1. After holding the German Grand Prix in 2019, it was not on the calendar this year.
Mugello has never hosted an F1 race but is used by Ferrari for testing. Imola long hosted the San Marino Grand Prix but fell off the schedule in 2006.
The F1 world championship is valid with only eight races but 15 must take place to secure full television income for the season. Organisers hope up to 18 races of the 22 planned for the year can be contested.
Sochi open to Russian double-header
Russian Grand Prix organisers said yesterday they were open to hosting two back-to-back races in Sochi this season to help Formula One flesh out a calendar reduced by the pandemic.
Sochi, with a circuit winding around the Olympic Park used for the 2014 Winter Games, is due to host the Russian Grand Prix on September 27 although that stage of the calendar remains uncertain.
It has the advantage of a nearby airport and accommodation that was once part of the Olympic athletes’ village and is within walking distance of the circuit and can be easily isolated.
Russian Grand Prix promoters ROSGONKI said in a statement they were looking at several options.
“Sochi’s infrastructure and the experience of the promoter company allow us to consider the possibility of holding an F1 double header,” they added.
“The traditional race weekend is still the preferred option. However, if necessary, the organisers are ready for an alternative.”
This September 29, 2019, picture shows a general view of the Sochi Autodrom during the Russian Grand Prix. (Reuters)
