Turkey GP added to 2020
Formula 1 to return to Turkey as four more races are added to the 2020 F1 calendar
Istanbul Park in Turkey back on calendar for first time since 2011, while Bahrain to host two races before Abu Dhabi finale on December 13; 17-race season confirmed.
The Turkish Grand Prix will be run on November 15, just before a back-to-back double header in Bahrain, with the Bahrain Grand Prix on November 29 followed by the Sakhir Grand Prix on December 6.
The season concluding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 13.
All the newly confirmed races will be held over three days, except Imola.
The final total of 17 races gives F1 some margin in case one or two planned events are unexpectedly lost due to late changes or issues with COVID-19. The minimum number of races required to guarantee full payment by the TV broadcasters is 15.
Turkey’s comeback the latest 2020 return
Turkey’s Istanbul Park is back on the F1 schedule for the first time since 2011. The undulating circuit previously proving popular with drivers and fans – particularly the unique and challenging fast quadruple-apex Turn Eight.
Istanbul’s return means F1 will now race on five venues not on the original 2020 calendar. Mugello, Nurburgring, Portimao and Imola are the four others.
Bahrain will be the third venue this year to host back-to-back events after Austria and Silverstone.
The first event on November 29 will run under the usual Bahrain GP name. The second, a week later, will be called the Sakhir GP in reference to the area the track is situated.
It had been mooted that a second event would run on Bahrain’s shorter oval-like circuit, but there was no mention of any layout change for the December 6 race in F1’s announcement.
With the final three rounds forming the rejigged 2020 season’s fourth and final triple-header, Abu Dhabi’s usual season finale has been pushed back by a fortnight from its original November 29 slot to 12 days before Christmas.
Everyone – teams, drivers and the fans – are excited about this new addition of GP in Turkey
F1 has also finally formally confirmed the cancellation of the Chinese GP. Before the start of the season the race was postponed from its scheduled date of 19 April.
In contrast there has yet to be an official cancellation of the Vietnam GP. The race won’t happen this season, but there has yet to be formal confirmation from the Vietnam side.