General
'Mugello is definitive, European season goes on longer'
- GPblog.com
The current Formula 1 calendar is limited to eight races and in order to reach the desired fifteen races, Formula 1 will have to add several more Grands Prix. The biggest impact of the coronavirus in Europe seems to be over, which makes racing on this continent seem best achievable. Nevertheless, Formula 1 also wants to do Asia and America, but the situation is still too uncertain, so an expansion of the European calendar is best.
Mugello is as good as certain
A circuit that is very much in the news as a potential contender for an expansion of the European season is Mugello. It is not for nothing that Ferrari went testing on this circuit earlier this week, because 'it is on the calendar anyway'. Formula 1 has yet to make this official, but according to Corriere dello Sport a letter of intent has already been signed, so it seems only a matter of time.
This message from four days ago is now supported by an article from Auto, Motor und Sport, which has understood from various sources that Mugello is fixed for September 13th. That's a week after the race at Monza, something that can be done logistically well with a distance of about 300 kilometres.
What is also unique about Mugello is that Ferrari will be able to celebrate its 1,000th race in Formula 1 on its own circuit, which is of course a nice coincidence. This would be the third triple header of the season and AMuS reports that there will be a weekend break after this race. Where Formula 1 will go afterwards is not yet clear, that is still to be decided.
Hockenheim and Portimao
According to the latest planning, the race in Sochi is scheduled for 27 September, but given the corona situation in Russia is still too risky, the idea of a double race would have been rejected. Instead, Hockenheim remains a candidate to jump in if racing in Russia is not an option.
Portimao in Portugal is also discussed a lot and that Grand Prix would be scheduled for 4 October. A Grand Prix on Imola on the other hand is becoming increasingly unlikely. This would have to do with the layout of the pit lane exit. If the information from AMuS is correct, it looks like the European season will last until at least the beginning of October.