Bahrain new season opener, Imola returns to schedule

Mark Scott
Imola

Imola-PA

Formula 1 has announced an updated calendar for the 2021 season, with Bahrain the new season opener on March 28 and Imola added to the schedule.

The ongoing pandemic and the resulting strict travel restrictions in place around the globe means Formula 1’s organisers have had to change the provisional 23-race calendar announced towards the end of 2020.

The 2021 season is now due to start a week later than planned on March 26-28 in Bahrain with Australia now postponed and given a new date of 19-21 November.

As a result of the postponement, race dates in Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi have all changed with the season finale at the Yas Marina circuit now pushed back to December 10-12.

The Chinese Grand Prix, which was due to be round three on the 2021 calendar, is also postponed but, as yet, does not have a new date on the schedule as talks remain ongoing with Shanghai officials.

The other major change at this stage sees Imola return to the calendar for a second successive season after initially being added to the revised 17-race schedule in 2020.

The TBC race in the calendar will be announced in due course and will take place on the new date of May 2.

The new provisional calendar for the 2021 season is as follows:

28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir)
18 April – Italy (Imola*)
2 May – TBC
9 May – Spain (Barcelona)
23 May – Monaco (Monaco)
6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku)
13 June – Canada (Montreal)
27 June – France (Le Castellet)
4 July – Austria (Spielberg)
18 July – United Kingdom (Silverstone)
1 August – Hungary (Budapest)
29 August – Belgium (Spa)
5 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)
12 September – Italy (Monza)
26 September – Russia (Sochi)
3 October – Singapore (Singapore)
10 October – Japan (Suzuka)
24 October – USA (Austin)
31 October – Mexico (Mexico City)
7 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
21 November – Australia (Melbourne*)
5 December – Saudi Arabia (Jeddah**)
12 December – Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)

*Revisions to calendar are subject to World Motor Sport Council approval
**Subject to circuit homologation

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