Just like last year, this Formula 1 season does not count 23, but 22 races. The cancelled Grand Prix of Russia (September 25) will definitely not get a replacement.
The leadership of the motorsport Royal Class initially looked at, among other things, a replacement race in Qatar or two Grand Prix in a row in Singapore, but those options have also been shot down after “constructive discussions”. Qatar was in a pinch with a view to the football World Cup, later this year, and the high temperatures at the end of September also caused doubt. For Singapore, where there is racing on a street circuit, it would be a hell of a job to paralyze the area around the circuit for two weeks.
The management of Formula 1 has come to the conclusion that the commercial interest does not outweigh the costs that teams and other stakeholders have to incur. A race in Europe is also not an option, due to the strict rules of the European Union regarding freight traffic. That would become a logistical nightmare for the racing stables. For example, the seven teams based in England after such a European race would first have to return to their base camp, unpack their cargo there, pack it up again and only then be able to fly to Singapore. The associated costs also affect the budget ceiling of $ 140 million that the teams must adhere to.
Because of the decision, this season has not two, but one so-called triple-header. Immediately after the summer break, the Grand Prix of Belgium (28 August), the Netherlands (4 September) and Italy (11 September) will follow one after the other. After two weekends of rest, the races in Singapore (October 2) and Japan (October 9) will follow.
