Two races in Sochi and more European rounds are reportedly being considered as uncertainty over Formula 1’s final flyaways grows.
This week, F1 announced dates for the first eight races, consisting of two double-headers in Spielberg and at Silverstone, an earlier Hungarian Grand Prix, a rescheduled Spanish GP and the Belgian and Italian rounds in their original slots.
Beyond that, however, the calendar remains up in the air, and F1 CEO Chase Carey isn’t setting deadlines to confirm what could be up to 10 events.
“We’re in uncharted waters,” he said in a video interview on Formula1.com this week. “We certainly continue to have a lack of visibility beyond a fairly short timeframe.
“We’re engaged with all our promoters and we’re in active discussion with all of them, all of them are struggling to have the same visibility.
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“We’re not going to give a deadline right now. With the fluidity of the situation, a deadline would create pressures which may not be right and realistic for the situation so we’re thinking of goals.
“Our goal would be before the end of June to, if not complete the rest of the calendar, have a handle on it. We know what we would like to try and do.”
F1 bosses had previously wanted to gradually head East after Monza, stopping in Baku and Sochi before continuing to Asia.
However, now there are fresh doubts over whether the street races in Baku, Vietnam and Singapore will occur, while MotoGP’s recent cancellation of their Japanese round has put question marks over F1’s trip into Suzuka.
If they don’t go ahead then, according to Auto Motor und Sport, a likely unpopular idea with fans is for two races in Sochi.
“Sochi’s infrastructure and the experience of the promoter company allow us to consider the possibility of holding an F1 doubleheader,” a spokesperson for promoter Rosgonki told MotorsportWeek.com.
“The traditional race weekend is still the preferred option. However, if necessary, the organisers are ready for an alternative.
“The race format will be confirmed following a thorough analysis of the situation, consultations with experts and decisions by the Government of the Russian Federation.”
Also, previously unplanned trips to Hockenheim, Imola and/or Mugello are also not being ruled to fill in the gaps.
As for the American stretch, both Mexico and Brazil have voiced their wish to go ahead as planned with fans, but the likelihood of a closed-door race means the US GP in Austin remains uncertain.
Finally, in the Middle-East, a fourth double-header in Bahrain has also been touted, while Abu Dhabi will conclude the season in December.