OPINION: Could F1 2020 be raced only on classic European tracks?

With Formula 1 races in Baku, Suzuka and Singapore all ditched for the 2020 season, there is the increased potential for races not on the current schedule being inserted into the schedule.

Currently the 2020 calendar features eight races in Europe with double-headers in Austria and Silverstone alongside races in Hungary, Spain, Belgium and Italy.

But with the exception of races in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, the list of guaranteed venues seems to be wafer thin for the rest of the season.

F1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn has raised the possibility of F1 adding European races to the calendar after the initial eight-race campaign.

He said: “There are a number of good European tracks where we could add another one or two races on to make sure we have a comprehensive season. We’re not going to declare it yet, as it’s still a work in progress.”

Ferrari-owned Mugello and Imola along with the Algarve International Circuit and the Hockenheimring are all being costed as potential venues in a pandemic-affected climate.

After the Italian GP at Monza, there is a huge opportunity for F1 to go to either Imola for the return of the San Marino GP or Mugello which would give the Moto GP classic its first F1 GP.

The track was used for an in-season test by all F1 teams except HRT in 2012 where Mark Webber gave high praise for the track, saying he “did 10 dry laps around Mugello, which is the same as doing 1000 laps around Abu Dhabi track in terms of satisfaction.”

If the race does happen, it will be Ferrari’s 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix which will take place around a track that they own which would be great for the iconic brand.

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As the 2020 season has already been compromised by the effects of coronavirus, it would provide the perfect opportunity to assess how viable these European races are for modern F1 with the possibility of them making their full-time return to the calendar.

The last race at Imola was the 2006 San Marino GP which was won by Michael Schumacher after a defending masterclass by the great champion after returning the favour that Fernando Alonso did to him twelve months earlier.

While there are not many places to overtake, the track is iconic in world motorsport and as a grade one track has to be considered as a venue to host a Grand Prix in 2020.

Also in contention are Hockenheim and Circuit de Algarve in Portimao as grade one listed tracks and both offer huge potential as a Grand Prix.

Hockenheim needs no introduction as the venue of possibly the best race of 2020 and Portimao would be a worthy venue for an F1 race which features a great mixture of medium and high-speed corners at a world-class facility.

All these European venues will bring something to F1 and after years where new races have been at new venues and new countries, allowing F1 to reconnect with historic venues could be a positive thing for the sport.

While coronavirus has brought many unintended consequences, the return of classic F1 tracks could well be a positive and could yet see these fabled pieces of tarmac have their place in history once more…

Video: Dragon Speed YouTube feat. Henrik Hedman in a Ferrari F2008