Additional circuits may have to host two races–just as Austria is doing over the next two weekends. While that seems doable, it’s a logistical challenge that requires money, planning, and (let’s face it) luck to pull off.
With the reduction of COVID-19 in some areas and a new variant causing trouble in others, it is interesting to observe how sporting events are being judged worldwide. Only a certain number of fans can attend events in certain sports, while other events have no spectators. For example, in Formula 1, only a limited number of fans can witness races live in the stands.
Given the circumstances, will Formula 1 be able to hold all 24 races on the 2021 schedule?
Already, Singapore is out because of a COVID surge there. Canada has done the same and exactly for the same reason, including a border lockdown. So if the F.O.M. (Formula One Management) can achieve 24 races, it will have to replace canceled events, which will be a challenge.
Luckily. Austria has already stepped in to replace Canada with a second race, which will be run this weekend. But for the moment, at least, there is no replacement for the Singapore event. The United States may step in if a second race comes through in either Austin or Indianapolis.
Still, even if that happens, other cancelations may be looming on the horizon. Japan and/or Australia are prime candidates–again, because of the virus. We’ll know Japan’s fate soon. How the upcoming Olympics go will have a lot to do with the answer. It may or may not be too much to follow a broad-based international event with another global sporting event soon thereafter. For Australia, a schedule change (moving the race from March to November) might be the ticket to keep that race on the F1 docket. The extra time allows the country to recover from COVID, although new variants represent a fly in the ointment.
Then there is Brazil, which is scheduled to host a race in November. But the virus is still widespread in that country, and it would not be surprising to see that race dropped.
All of that said, F1 needs other venues to step forward.
So, all in all, to keep the race schedule at 24, additional circuits may have to host two races–just as Austria is doing over the next two weekends. While that seems eminently doable, it’s a major logistical challenge that requires money, planning, and (let’s face it) luck to pull off.
