Formula 1 to cut 2021 calendar to 22 races and add new round in Qatar. F1 plans to cut calendar to 22 rounds and add race in Qatar.

Formula 1 intends to reduce the number of GPs that will take place this season from 23 to 22 and at the same time to add one new race which should be held in Qatar at the end of the championship, as reported by RaceFans.

Liberty Media informed the teams of their plans ahead of the third practice session at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The latest changes have arisen from the need to find replacements for the cancelled Japanese and Australian grands prix, that were supposed to be held in October and November respectively.

Formula One previously announced the addition of the Turkish Grand Prix as a replacement for Singapore’s race. This was to be followed by a visit to Japan’s Suzuka circuit, which was cancelled last week. Despite the fact that the Istanbul round was originally due to take place on October 3rd, Formula 1 is understood to be considering pushing the race back by one week. The following round at the Circuit of the Americas in America retains its October 24th date.

Delaying the Turkish Grand Prix and leaving a two-week gap either side of it would leave Formula 1 the flexibility to replace it with an alternative venue if needed. F1 previously added, then removed, a race at the Istanbul Park circuit to the calendar earlier this year. Turkey remains on Britain’s ‘red list’ which would impose a significant quarantine period on F1’s many UK-based staff upon their return from the venue.

Italy’s Mugello track, which was added to the F1 calendar for the first time last year, is believed to be among the venues under consideration for as a substitute for Istanbul.

The US round was originally going to be the first part of a triple-header with races in Mexico and Brazil. The latter two races will now be delayed by a week, easing the congestion at this stage on the calendar.

However an additional race has been added to their pair of rounds which were due to close the season. Qatar, which RaceFans previously revealed was a contender to join the calendar, will host a race at its Losail International Circuit.

This will take place on November 28th and begin a season-closing triple-header. From Qatar F1 will move on to Saudi Arabia as planned – for the second of two consecutive races on circuits it has not previously visited – and then to the remodelled Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi for the season finale.

Despite the reduction in length, the 22-race calendar will remain the longest F1 has ever held.