F1 CEO Mentions F1 Season May Start With 2 Races In Bahrain

F1 racing illustration (twitter @ f1)

JAKARTA - Formula 1 could kick off this season with two races in Bahrain amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes they can hold a 23 Grand Prix record this year.

This season's provisional calendar features the opening race in the country of "Kingdom in the Gulf" on March 28, followed by a draw in Imola, Italy on April 18.

Australia, whose regularly becomes the season opener, last month had to be postponed to November.

Domenicali, who took office as F1 boss in January, said in virtual discussions with the media that F1 had ample spare options.

"Everyone thinks this year will be easier (than before) but it's not," he said regarding how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic which has closed borders, causing the country to impose lockdowns and mandating quarantines for travelers. Reported by Antara from Reuters on Friday, February 5.

"We are fluid and flexible to be ready for other possibilities and we have B, C, D plans."

The former Ferrari boss said the race at Imola would be held. The available vacant space will be filled on May 2 where Vietnam should have occupied.

Portugal has queued up to fill the slot but is now experiencing uncertainty due to the country's health crisis.

"We will be able to announce something in the next few days and I have some private meetings this weekend to decide. One possible B plan is the double race in Bahrain, which is ... an opinion offered for us to discuss."

Bahrain has hosted two consecutive races last season, with the second race bearing the name the Sakhir Grand Prix, using a shorter circuit outer layout.

The Sakhir Circuit in Doha will also host the pre-season test later.

The 2020 racing season started with two races in Austria in July after Australia was canceled due to a pandemic that forced racing to be stopped for several months.

Domenicali said he talks to race promoters every day and hopes the current situation looks more stable in the second half of 2021.

The slot for China remains unclear, with the race in Shanghai adrift on the current calendar.

"China is very important to all of us, but we have received information from the government that until the summer, they were not willing to hold any international events there," said Domenicali.