Formula 1 has announced that the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão), Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola) and the Nürburgring will all join the 2020 Formula 1 calendar, as The Americas see its four races cancelled for 2020.
The Formula 1 calendar has expanded to thirteen races for the season, and currently the thirteen stand all within Europe, however there are more races expected to join, particularly in the Middle East region.
The Nürburgring will return as the 2020 Formula 1 Eifel Grand Prix, as it, the track was last seen as the German Grand Prix is 2013. The track will prepare for a race across the weekend of 9-11 of October. The Hockenheimring, which appeared to be heading to host a race itself this year before opting not to, seemingly holds the rights to the German Grand Prix name, despite the venue not being on the calendar this year.
2020 will see the Portuguese Grand Prix return for the first time since 1996, where the last winner was Jacques Villeneuve, driving for the Williams Racing team. However, Portimão is a brand new circuit to Formula 1 and will make its debut in October, as the weekend is scheduled for the October 23-25.
Imola will make it’s comeback as a two-day weekend, meaning there will be no Friday free practice sessions held at the track. The race currently stands as the last race of the season, but more announcements are expected. The 2006 San Marino Grand Prix was the last time Imola featured in Formula 1, making a return after a fourteen year-long break on the 31st October to 1st November.
However, the Canadian, United States, Mexican and Brazilian Grand Prix have all been cancelled due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Brazil and the United States are two of the most troubled counties, and Formula 1 felt the need to explain in a statement that safety had to come first when so cancelling the Grand Prix was the only option.
F1 CEO, Chase Carey spoke regarding the announcement showing his excitement for the new races which have been added but also noting the disappointment of the cancellation of the Grand Prix events on the American continents.
“We are pleased that we continue to make strong progress in finalising our plans for the 2020 season and are excited to welcome Nürburgring, Portimão and Imola to the revised calendar,” said Carey.
“We want to thank the promoters, the teams, and the FIA for their full support in our efforts to bring our fans exciting racing this season during an unprecedented time.
“We also want to pay tribute to our incredible partners in the Americas and look forward to being back with them next season when they will once again be able to thrill millions of fans around the world.”
