F1 | FIA & F1 commission: Portuguese Grand Prix to be included in the 2021 season
Following the first FIA and F1 commission meeting today (11 February), among other decisions, their intentions for the Portuguese Grand Prix to take the vacant “TBC” slot on this year’s calendar was confirmed.
2021 Season Calendar
After the meeting, it was confirmed that in place of the “TBC” slot in the calendar we may have a race in Portimão on the 2nd of May. But “the final agreement is still subject to the promoter” – as the FIA F1 Commission media statement said – as there is still the possibility of the race not happening there at all, it all depends on the impact of COVID-19 (which has the country on lock down right now).
Although the race, which was revived in 2020 after being absent from the F1 calendar since its last appearance in 1995, is yet to be 100% confirmed, it is now part of the 2021 season calendar on a provisional basis.
While global changing circumstances require flexibility, the FIA and F1 are working with governments and local organisations to ensure the calendar goes ahead as planned, complying with robust COVID-19 protocols.
With that being said, the Formula 1 2021 season calendar (updated) is as follows:
March 28: Bahrain
April 18: Imola
May 2: Portimao (subject to promoter agreement)
May 9: Barcelona
May 23: Monaco
June 6: Baku
June 13: Montreal
June 27: Paul Ricard
July 4: Red Bull Ring
July 18: Silverstone
August 1: Hungaroring
August 29: Spa
September 5: Zandvoort
September 12: Monza
September 26: Sochi
October 3: Singapore
October 10: Suzuka
October 24: Austin
October 31: Mexico City
November 7: Interlagos
November 21: Melbourne
December 5: Saudi Arabia
December 12: Abu Dhabi
Other decisions made in the meeting include:
- Regulation changes
Following a request from Pirelli, and taking into consideration the challenges presented due to the move to 18” tyres and the global pandemic, the number of test days was increased from 25 to 30 days. This will also allow a more equitable distribution of tyre testing during 2021.
- Environmental Accreditation
FIA announces that Formula 1 and other teams have achieved the highest level of FIA Environmental Accreditation. The topic was discussed during the meeting, including a guided outlined for all teams with the intention of everyone getting the highest level of the accreditation, with this goal being integrated into the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.
They also noted that the regulation changes made today were not final, as they are all subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
