Rumor: 3 more F1 races to be cancelled (2nd Update)

(GMM) Monaco has moved quickly to scotch rumors its fabled grand prix will once again disappear from the Formula 1 calendar for a second consecutive year.

There are reports that street circuits like the ones in Monte Carlo, Baku and Montreal will again fall victim to the coronavirus restrictions.

But race promoter Automobile Club de Monaco hit back at the rumors, insisting in a statement: “Despite the latest rumors circulating on certain websites and social media, the (club) can confirm that the Monaco GP will take place from May 20-23.

“The ACM also confirms the Grand Prix Monaco Historique and the Monaco ePrix,” the statement added.

Formula 1 is also pushing back at the speculation about additional changes to the 2021 calendar, after Melbourne was postponed and Shanghai was replaced by Imola.

“We have set out the details of the revised 2021 calendar and there are no other changes,” said a spokesman, calling the spate of media reports “completely wrong”.

Williams driver Nicholas Latifi is hopeful the forthcoming season will go ahead.

“As the vaccines get rolled out, hopefully the situation will start to improve,” said the Canadian. “Looking purely at the racing, F1 has put together a terrific calendar, and I’m excited to get going with it.”

(GMM) Portugal’s motor racing chief is “optimistic” that Portimao could return to a second consecutive covid-affected Formula 1 calendar this year.

The sport has already made amendments to its earlier-planned schedule, shifting Melbourne to November and removing Shanghai for now.

Imola, also a substitute circuit in 2020, was appointed as a replacement, and now there are reports that several other races are in danger.

Specifically, the street races in Monaco, Baku and Montreal are rumored to be in doubt, although a spokesperson told us there are no further calendar changes planned for now.

But if those changes do come, Portugal may be in a position to fill a gap.

“There could be more important priorities for the government, but I’m definitely optimistic we can expect a decision by the end of February,” said Ni Amorim, president of Portugal’s motor racing association.

“I am cautiously optimistic that thanks to the current lockdown and the vaccination campaign we will be able to hold the race in May,” he told the Expresso newspaper.

“The situation can look very different in three or four months. If that’s the case, we can run the race,” Amorim added.

Meanwhile, Imola boss Giancarlo Minardi says he is not sure if the Italian circuit will be able to host spectators at its 18 April race.

“I don’t think the decision will be made until April, but we are ready for any scenario,” he told Il Resto del Carlino newspaper.

“We can open the circuit partially, we can open it completely or we can hold a race with empty stands,” said the former F1 team boss.

“For now it doesn’t really bother me. I am simply proud that Imola is again included in the Formula 1 calendar.”

Long-established Dutch magazine Formule1’s website is rumoring that the Monaco Grand Prix, plus the races in Azerbaijan and Canada, will be scrapped for the second consecutive year with an announcement expected next month.

It was claimed this was due to the ongoing global health pandemic and the uncertainty it continues to cause in terms of planning, with an earlier decision needed to be finalized about the viability of street races due to the work required to set up their infrastructure.

An F1 spokesman told PlanetF1: “We have set out the details of the revised 2021 calendar and there are no other changes. The suggestion street races will not take place are completely wrong.”

Last year European circuits Imola, Istanbul Park, Mugello, Nurburgring and Portimao, stepped in to replace cancelled races and if this rumor is true, it looks like they may be called upon again this year.