F1 2020 Calendar: The 2020 Imola Grand Prix has been reduced to a 2-day weekend for ‘logistical reasons’, as confirmed by the race track authorities.
The F1 2020 season calendar has been taking place, with thirteen Grands Prix confirmed for the season so far. Out of this, three track maps were added in the last roster – Nurburgring, Imola and Portimao.
Portugal’s Portimao will be making its debut in Formula One this season. And interestingly, the Grand Prix at Imola will be for two days, instead of the conventional three days.
BREAKING: We’re racing at Nurburgring, Portimao and Imola!
The three Grands Prix will make up rounds 11-13 of the 2020 F1 calendar, with Imola being a two-day event#EifelGP #PortugueseGP #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/Hxen8a45g1
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2020
Why is Imola a two days race weekend?
The Imola Grand Prix is on 31st October and 1st November (Saturday and Sunday). It is expected that there will only be one Free Practice – on Saturday – instead of three sessions. The qualifying and final race schedule remains as it is.
Read more: All you need to know about the iconic Imola Circuit in Italy
And as per Alfa Romeo team manager Beat Zehnder, this is being done because of immense logistical efforts to travel from Portimao to Imola in a few days.
The former is holding its race a week earlier from 23rd to 25th October. While back-to-back races in Formula One is a common feature, the distance between Portimao and Imola turned out to be the sticking point while finalizing the schedule. Speaking to Blick, Zehnder had this to say on the two-day Imola race announcement:
“The logistical effort is insane.”
“There are 2500 kilometres between Portimao and Imola. The team trucks will have to drive straight through, only stopping to refuel. We’ll have to bring in external drivers”.
Proud of Formula One for tackling the pandemic
While admitting that this season has not been too enjoyable, Zehnder spoke highly of the F1 stakeholders to get the season on track. Three races have been successfully completed – Austria, Styria and Hungary. And he also pointed out that there has been no ‘positive case’ so far.
“It’s very easy to complain. But it was especially important for Formula 1 to set an example. So far there has not been a single corona case and everything is running smoothly.We can be proud that we got it going at all.”
