The US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas will not take place this year after the uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic forced Formula One to abandon plans to compete in the US, Mexico, Brazil and Canada in 2020.
COVID-19 infection rates in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil are among the highest in the world, and when that combined with the logistical challenge of moving the sport’s traveling circus across continents, F1 decided it was impossible to plan careers in those territories.
Three new rounds have been scheduled in Germany, Portugal and Italy to fill the calendar section generally reserved for races in western Europe.
A press release said “the fluid nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, local restrictions, and the importance of keeping communities and our colleagues safe” meant that it was no longer possible to organize races in the Americas this year.
F1 CEO Chase Carey added: “We want to pay tribute to our amazing partners in the Americas and look forward to returning with them next season when they can re-thrill millions of fans around the world.”
The coronavirus pandemic forced F1 to break its original 22-race schedule this year, and so far it has confirmed 13 rescheduled races on the European continent (see box above).
The sport is still in talks about holding races in Asia in November, including a rescheduled date for the Vietnam Grand Prix that was originally scheduled for April. The 2020 season will conclude in mid-December, with two races planned in Bahrain and the end of the season in Abu Dhabi.
The news about canceled races in the Americas is not a surprise, but they still disagree with F1’s original plan for its return to racing, which provided for four calendar stages in Europe, Asia, America and the Middle East.
However, the reality of the virus’s spread, combined with the challenge of sending ocean freight to destinations outside of Europe two or three months in advance, meant that there was a natural deadline for making a decision about racing in the Americas.
Friday’s statement said the sport still targets 15-18 races by the end of the year.
F1 plans to return to the Americas in 2021, although the sport’s contract with Interlagos in Brazil was due to expire after this season’s race. The Circuit of the Americas in Texas will be in the last year of its 10-year contract with F1 for 2021; Mexico has a contract until the end of 2022; and Canada will remain on the calendar until 2024. It is unclear how lost races will affect those contracts.
