Another Circuit Places a Bid to Replace the Chinese Grand Prix

With the Chinese Grand Prix postponed, Formula One is seeking to schedule it elsewhere. Meanwhile, there have been a couple of bids to take the Grand Prix’s place on the calendar.

Firstly, Imola threw its hat in the ring and ignited hope that a classic F1 circuit will return. However, a new contender has approached, the Mugello Circuit in Tuscany, is also interested in hosting an F1 race. Italy’s automobile club ACI has thrown its support behind Imola and Mugello in their bid to replace china this seson.

Scarperia e San Piero mayor Federico Ignesti admitted, “To hold a grand prix in Mugello would be a great opportunity to be on the international stage.”

ACI president Angelo Sticchi Damiani fanned the flames even further when he spoke to Tuttomotoriweb.com. He said, “Imola and Mugello have come forward with legitimate aspirations.

“It seems difficult to me that a Formula 1 race can be organised between now and April on tracks that have not hosted it recently, but the Aci will do everything we can to ensure it happens if the conditions are met.”

Is Mugello a good candidate to replace the Chinese Grand Prix?

In a nutshell, it is an excellent candidate because it is a Grade 1 circuit. For the uninitiated, Grade 1 circuits are tracks that have the capability of hosting a Formula One race. Furthermore, the track’s 1.141 km main straight will be perfect for slipstream battles.

Mugello has hosted MotoGP races since 1992, and became a regular feature from 1994 onwards. On the F1 front though, the circuit was used in an in-season test during the 2012 Formula One season.

Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel also took a shine to the circuit. He told Motorsport.com, “Unfortunately we don’t have this track on the calendar. It’s an incredible circuit with a lot of high-speed corners. It holds a grade 1 FIA license, meaning it meets the standards to host a Formula 1 race”.

As it turns out, Romain Grosjean even set an unofficial track record of 1:21.035 during the test. In all honesty, the Mugello circuit could give Monza a run for its money and gun for the ‘Temple of Speed’ moniker.