F1 2021 Calendar: Vietnam Grand Prix at Hanoi called off; Istanbul, Imola, or Portimao could replace it

F1 2021 Calendar: The Vietnam Grand Prix at Hanoi has been called off right before the publication of next season’s calendar, with Istanbul, Imola, and Portimao the prime contenders to replace it.

The Vietnamese Grand Prix at capital city Hanoi was originally scheduled to make its debut this season, but Covid-19 had other plans for it. Now that seems to be easing off, and Vietnam has low infection rates compared to other countries in the F1 2021 Calendar.

If they don’t host next year, I can imagine Portimao stepping in to make a Portugal / Spain double header

— Alex Stanger (@alexstanger1993) October 20, 2020

But a corruption charge against a key man involved with bringing the prestigious race to Hanoi is currently under arrest, since August. The person in question is Hanoi People’s Committee chairman Nguyen Duc Chung. Now it must be made clear that this is not directly related to the race, but the damage has been enough for F1 to pull out of the country. There is still hope that the race could be held in 2022, but realistically speaking, that seems highly unlikely.

An F1 spokesperson had this to say when asked for indications about the proposed F1 2021 calendar: “Our calendar will be announced tomorrow and we are not going to give a running commentary before its publication. It also needs to go to the World Motor Sport Council for approval.”

Also read: Unpopular Opinion: F1 is right to award Saudi Arabia its first-ever Grand Prix in 2021

Proposed F1 2021 Calendar

21 March: Australia (Melbourne)

28 March: Bahrain (Sakhir)

11 April: China (Shanghai)

25 April: TBC

9 May: Spain (Barcelona)

23 May: Monaco

6 June: Azerbaijan (Baku)

13 June: Canada (Montreal)

27 June: France (Le Castellet)

4 July: Austria (Spielberg)

18 July: Britain (Silverstone)

1 August: Hungary (Hungaroring)

29 August: Belgium (Spa)

5 September: Netherlands (Zandvoort)

12 September: Italy (Monza)

26 September: Russia (Sochi)

3 October: Singapore (Marina Bay)

10 October: Japan (Suzuka)

24 October: USA (Austin)

31 October: Mexico (Mexico City)

14 November: Brazil (Sao Paulo) 

28 November: Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)

5 December: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)