Despite the fact that an official announcement for the return of the Qatar Grand Prix on the 2022 Formula 1 calendar seemed imminent, the scenario has now changed. After the cancellation of of the Russian Grand Prix, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is a gap left in the calendar on 25 September which Formula 1 is working on to find a replacement.
Qatar looked like an ideal solution, while the solution of a second race in Singapore was also discussed, with Marina Bay that has not hosted a Grand Prix since 2019 due to the pandemic and will return this year to host a race in in October. However, the discussions between teams, Liberty Media and the FIA have opened up a new possibility.
In pole position to replace the Sochi event there is now Portimao, a circuit that has already hosted F1 in 2020 and 2021 ‘helping’ the sport to complete Covid emergency calendars. The Portuguese track was liked by the teams and drivers and logistically it would not be difficult to arrive there after the Italian Grand Prix in Monza scheduled for 11 September.
For now, there are still those who support the idea of ‘back to back’ races Singapore, with the race scheduled for Sunday 2 October. Bringing Portimao closer to Monza by anticipating the event on September 18 does not seem like an option, because the Italian Grand Prix at the temple of speed will be the last race of a triple header that takes place after August summer break, with Belgium on August 28 and Zandvoort in the Netherlands on September 4th scheduled to be held ahead of the Monza race.
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