F1 | Schmidt on the calendar: “Indianapolis, Sakhir, Losail and Sepang are at stake”

In an in-depth analysis published on Auto Motor Und Sport, Michael Schmidt spoke about the calendar that Formula 1 will face from the summer until the last world round scheduled for December on the Abu Dhabi track, highlighting how the presence of Japan and Australia are anything but what a given. According to what the German journalist declared, local governments are implementing an extremely strict policy against Covid and its variants, an aspect that could lead GP organizers to raise the white flag for the second consecutive year.

As regards the alternatives, however, according to Schmidt, the option of a second race in the United States, specifically in Indianapolis (Roger Penske, new owner of the "Catino", has never hidden an interest in the Circus), of a return to Sepang and a new entry as Losail. The latter, obviously, would be placed at the end of the season between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

“Due to the extremely strict policies implemented by the Australian Government against Covid, the race scheduled for November at Albert Park is far from guaranteed,” said the German journalist. “The same goes for Suzuka, given that the Japanese government is worried about the variants, especially the Indian and Brazilian ones. There would be several alternatives on the table, including a second race in the United States, in Indianapolis, a race on the Outer Circuit in Bahrain and a new entry like Losail."

“The interest in the Sepang track should also not be underestimated”, he continued. “As for Germany, Nurburgring and Hockenheim have not entered into any negotiations with Liberty Media for reserve slots, which is why it is currently difficult to imagine a last-minute commitment like last year.”