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Malaysia could make its return to the Formula 1 calendar this year if the Chinese Grand Prix is officially cancelled, according to a report.
The Sepang International Circuit last hosted an F1 race in 2017, ending its 19-season stay on the world championship schedule.
The unpredictable weather and flowing nature of the track made the event a favourite among F1 fans.
F1 is currently working to flesh out the 2020 race schedule amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with rumours circulating that China will not be placed on the revised schedule.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, Vietnam is hopeful that it will still get to host its very first grand prix this year, after postponing the event earlier in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Travelling to Asia for just a single race would not make sense logistically, leaving F1 to seek another track to race at either before or after Hanoi.
Sepang, which is well known to the teams, could be an option. F1 currently has 10 races confirmed this year, with the first three occurring in Austria and Hungary earlier this month.
F1 has already negotiated a race deal with Mugello, which was not part of the original 2020 F1 calendar confirmed last year, meaning arrangements with alternative tracks is plausible.
The report also outlined that F1 could race three times at Silverstone if the sport is forced to steer away from Barcelona, as COVID-19 cases have taken a sharp rise in recent days.
The next triple-header event, which will get underway from July 31 to August 2, will see two races at Silverstone before a trip south for the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.
However, some doubt has been placed over Spain's race due to the coronavirus, with the country reporting 1,000+ cases every day since July 18. But F1 reportedly has a plan B if the Barcelona race is called off, which would see the sport remain in Great Britain for a third race.
The first race at Silverstone will be named the traditional British Grand Prix, however the second round will be labelled the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, as F1 celebrates an existence milestone.
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
a revisit to Sepang would be sweet.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Yes, whilst I think Silverstone is probably the best circuit for spectators/drivers, I spent think three races would be special, hopefully another venue can step in to keep it interesting.
xoya
Posts: 583
Something good that could come out of this disaster. At least for us, fans of F1. :)