2021 Formula 1 season could conclude in Saudi Arabia instead of Abu Dhabi. 2021 F1 season could conclude in Saudi Arabia.

The 2021 Formula 1 season could conclude in Saudi Arabia instead of Abu Dhabi as originally planned, according to a recent report from RaceFans.

The mooted change would see the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the new Jeddah Corniche Circuit swap weekends with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina.

The change is believed to be under consideration because the United Arab Emirates is on Britain’s ‘red zone’ list of countries. F1 staff visiting Abu Dhabi would therefore have to quarantine for 10 days on their return from the race on December 12th.

Moving Abu Dhabi forward by a week would allow most of that period to expire during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, which would become the final race on the calendar.

Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, the president of Saudi Arabia’s motorsport federation, said the Jeddah race promoters had not been approached about a potential date swap.

“Nobody mentioned something like this but if something helps Formula 1, I need to go back to see if it’s something that we are willing to do,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans. “But as of now nobody mentioned it so I cannot comment on a thing like this. – “I know by contract Abu Dhabi want to be the last race. For us I prefer not to be the last race but if it’s something that will help Formula 1 then maybe we can discuss it with them.”

Saudi Arabia has a late slot on this year’s calendar to accommodate the construction of its new venue. Prince Khalid said the promoters would prefer to have an earlier date in future seasons.

This year’s Saudi Arabian race could also see the third running of Formula 1’s new sprint qualifying race weekend, which debuted at the British Grand Prix last week. Prince Khalid was impressed with the revised format.

“I was there in Silverstone last weekend and I really enjoyed it as a spectator and a promoter. I think it’s good – you have more races to see more action on Saturday and still the qualifying. If you qualify on pole that doesn’t mean that you start the race from pole so this will give pressure on the teams and the drivers so I really enjoyed it. We would love to be one of the countries that have the sprint race.”