Nürburgring open to taking spot on 2021 calendar

The Nurburgring is willing to discuss the possibility of hosting a race in 2021 should a slot become free, a spokesperson has confirmed.

The German circuit ended up being a late addition to the 2020 calendar, hosting the Eifel Grand Prix due to various cancellations caused by the global pandemic.

In 2021, such cancellations have continued, with races in China and Vietnam being replaced by ones in Imola and Portimao already.

Various reports have suggested that more spots will open up on the calendar, with the Canadian Grand Prix and Brazilian Grand Prix, in particular, looking like they could be called off.

Local travel regulations in Canada currently require that anyone arriving in the country would have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period, which would render a race impossible.

Brazil meanwhile is currently suffering the highest daily total deaths anywhere in the world since the start of the pandemic.

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The venues most likely to step in and replace them are apparently Istanbul Park and Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit.

That being said, the Nurburging is considered a contender by many too and is open to such a possibility. However, with other events taking places at the track, there are no guarantees that it will be available.

“Should Formula 1 wish to hold an event under similar conditions as in 2020 – for example due to cancellations by other circuits – we are open to possible talks,” a spokesperson for the circuit said as per Auto Bild.

“Our position on this remains unchanged: It must be ensured that at the end of the day we are at least in the black. And of course, we have to check the feasibility.

“After all, the 24-hour race, the biggest motorsport event in Germany, will take place shortly before the date brought into play.”

Going forward, F1 boss Stefano Domenicali does have plans to return to Germany on a permanent basis, giving it a regular spot on the schedule, and has confirmed that discussions with the circuits there are underway.

“Germany is an important market for us,” he told f1-insider.com.

“I can reveal that I recently held talks with those responsible at the Nürburgring and Hockenheim to explore possibilities for a comeback.

“And I hope that we will find a solution in the coming months.”

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