F1 Reportedly Has an Exciting Backup Plan if Rumored Portimao Race Gets Called off

The 2021 F1 season could open with two consecutive races at the Bahrain Grand Prix. After the Australian Grand Prix’s postponement, there are chances that the Portuguese Grand Prix, the third in the calendar, could fall out too.

Bahrain Grand Prix then emerged as the season opener while Portuguese GP was yet to confirm as the third venue of the season. According to recent reports, the rising COVID-19 infections could see the Portuguese Grand Prix back out of the season.

“F1’s plans to race in Portugal could be disrupted if new restrictions are introduced on travel between the country and Britain, where most teams are based.”

“Britain’s infection rate rose rapidly at the beginning of the year and is now falling following the introduction of another lockdown. The pandemic has also spread rapidly in the Iberian country again in recent weeks,” stated the report.

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Imola F1 race could postpone by a week

If the Portuguese Grand Prix falls through, the Bahrain Grand Prix will hold races on consecutive weekends. The desert race will be the season opener, and if FIA plans a second race, it will feature the outer circuit once again.

“The addition of a second race in Bahrain, one week after the March 28th season-opener, would have other effects on the calendar. The reports also state that the Bahrain doubleheader could postpone the Imola GP by a week to allow teams sufficient travelling time.

Earlier this year, reports had surfaced that three more races could be cancelled for the 2021 season. The report had stated that Monaco, Azerbaijan and Canada could also fall off the calendar just like last year.

The 2021 F1 calender was originally going to be longest in the history with 23 races. However, the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the season. The F1 community will hope that After a 17 race 2020 seasons, there are no more cancellations in 2021.