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Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – November 14, 2020 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in action during qualifying Pool via REUTERS/Ozan Kose
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – November 14, 2020 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in action during qualifying Pool via REUTERS/Ozan Kose
Formula 1 has canceled the Turkish Grand Prix because of Covid restrictions. The Turkish government has enlisted Great Britain as one of the countries under the red zone. Travelers coming from red zone countries would have to face 10 days quarantine in a government-approved hotel.
According to Ewan Gale of GP Fans, many team principals have appreciated the decision to skip Turkey from the calendar. Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binnoto has praised the F1 for informing the teams before the announcement.
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NUERBURG, GERMANY – Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto walks in the Paddock before final practice ahead of the F1 Eifel Grand Prix at Nürburgring in Nuerburg, Germany. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“Luckily enough we were made aware that Turkey would probably be canceled in time not to send or ship any material there, so in terms of logistics, we didn’t incur those costs at the time,” said Binotto.
Ferrari happy to have a double-header in Austria
Austria will host back-to-back races to compensate for Turkey dropping off the calendar. The Red Bull ring, which is surrounded by the Styrian mountains, is the home race for Red Bull Honda.
Binnoto expressed his views on the doubleheader in Austria saying, “What we are adding is another European race which, in terms of logistics, is certainly the easiest, and double races in Austria, in terms of logistics, is pretty easy.”
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SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JULY 05: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren F1 Team MCL35 Renault on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on July 05, 2020, in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
What’s next for Turkey?
Turkey was included in the 2021 F1 calendar to replace the Canadian Grand Prix. The future of the Turkish Grand Prix is still up in the air as it hasn’t been on the regular calendar since 2011. It was included in the 2020 calendar because of covid travel restrictions. Due to the cancelation of the race, French Grand Prix will now take place between June 18-20 and the Austrian GP will take place between June 25-27.
