Revised 2020 F1 calendar finalised with Turkish GP return

Formula 1 has revealed the final phase of its revised 2020 calendar, which will include a return to Turkey as well as visits to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi for what will be a 17-race season.

After the postponement of the season following the positive Covid-19 case all the way back in March ahead of practice for the Australian Grand Prix, F1 has arranged a highly unorthodox season that will not end until mid-December.

The beginning of the final stint will commence on November 11-13 for what will be the first race in Turkey since 2011 at the hugely popular Istanbul Park.

Back-to-back races in Sakhir for the Bahrain (November 27-29) and Sakhir Grands Prix (December 3-6) will lead in to the finale, taking place at the usual season-ender at Yas Marina, finishing the 2020 season on December 13.

The three final races will form the fourth and final triple-header of a compacted season. It will also be the latest finish to a season since 1962, with that year’s championship ending on December 29 with the South African Grand Prix.

The opening nine rounds of the season have been scheduled to take place across 11 weekends, with the latest Spa, Monza and Mugello trio the third triple-header already this year.

Along with the confirmation that the Turkish GP would be returning to F1, it was also confirmed that fans would be returning to the circuits in a limited capacity, though attendance would be dependent on local health guidelines.

“While we are all disappointed that we have not been able to return to some of our planned races this year we are confident our season has started well and will continue to deliver plenty of excitement with traditional, as well as new, races that will entertain all our fans,” F1 CEO Chase Carey said in the latest announcement.