SAKHIR: The Gulf Air Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix, scheduled for March 28, has been confirmed as the season opener for the 2021 season.
The move comes as the Australian Grand Prix, which is the traditional season-opener, was rescheduled to November 21.
“We thank F1 for trusting us with hosting the 2021 season-opener under the revised schedule,” said Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“It is an honour to be kicking off the new season and we look forward to welcoming back the F1 family to Bahrain.
“We are also pleased to see Australia on the calendar later in the year and wish them and everyone else in F1 the very best as we prepare for the new season.”
Australians are currently navigating lockdowns, border closures, hotel quarantine and Covid-19 testing queues, and are still waiting for the vaccines that will protect the population.
This is the third time in the BIC’s history and the first time since 2010 that it will stage the season-opening race weekend, scheduled for March 26-28.
Information regarding whether spectators will be allowed, will be announced ‘in due course’, according to a spokesperson at the BIC. However, according to a statement by the FIA: “Formula 1 expects fans to return to the grandstands and the Paddock Club for the 2021 season.”
Much will depend on the Covid-19 situation closer to the time but Bahrain’s beleaguered hospitality sector and motorsport enthusiasts will be hoping fans will be allowed to flock to the kingdom.
The Formula 2 race has been confirmed as a supporting race for the Bahrain race weekend, with both races to be held along the regular Grand Prix track at the BIC.
More details, including possible entertainment options if given the green light, will be confirmed closer to the date.
“As the first race of the season, there is always huge anticipation from fans who want to see which teams have progressed over the winter break and you generally get more uncertainty with the racing which adds to the excitement,” the BIC’s head of marketing Laurence Jones told the GDN.
“It’s great for us that we have the additional buzz and excitement of being the opening race of the season!”
This is also the first time since 2010 that the season starts and ends in the Middle East, with the season-closer in Abu Dhabi, rescheduled for December 12.
The season’s second race is now set to be held at Imola in Italy on April 18, subject to World Motor Sport Council approval.
The third race on May 2 remains open, with industry insiders speculating that Portugal’s Portimao circuit may take the spot.
The FIA, Formula 1’s parent body, also announced that due to the pandemic and the ensuing calendar shuffle, the Brazil Grand Prix is now set for November 7 and Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Grand Prix will now be held on December 5.
The Chinese Grand Prix may also be postponed, pending ongoing discussions, according to a Formula 1 statement. This was the first race to be scrapped last year, and China has not hosted any international sporting events since Covid started in Wuhan.
Thus far, the FIA remains committed to staging 23 races in 2021 – the largest number of races ever in a F1 season.
“It has been a busy start to the year at Formula 1 and we are pleased to confirm that the number of races planned for the season remains unchanged,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive of Formula 1.
“The global pandemic has not yet allowed life to return to normal, but we showed in 2020 that we can race safely as the first international sport to return and we have the experience and plans in place to deliver on our season.”
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