Bahrain could be set to host the first two rounds of the 2021 Formula 1 season due to concerns over the Portuguese Grand Prix, it is reported.
Already, the Middle East venue will host winter testing and the opening race, this after the Australian GP was pushed back to November due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
It was hoped Portimao, which held Portugal’s first F1 race since 1996 last year, would host the third race of 2021 on April 25, a week after Imola, which has replaced China.
But with the country dealing with one of the worst waves of coronavirus infections currently in Europe, there is growing uncertainty over whether the event can go ahead.
As a result, Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Bahrain could now host another doubleheader on March 28 and April 4, with the snappily-named Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna GP pushed back to April 25.
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Further changes to the calendar later in the year also can’t be ruled out, which is likely why F1 would opt against turning to the likes of Nurburgring or Turkey to fill the third race slot, although Istanbul was already ruled out due to a clash with the holy month of Ramadan.
Also, after the success of racing on Bahrain’s Outer Circuit last year, another Grand Prix on that layout would certainly not be unwelcome!