F1 Cancels US Grand Prix, Drops 3 American Races; Adds 3 Events To Revamped Calendar Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Formula One on Friday substituted the races dropped from the American circuit by adding three more races to the revamped 2020 calendar, taking the total races count to 13 for the season.

Formula One

The United States Grand Prix, one of races slated to be held in the 2020-21 F1 seasons has been cancelled by Formula One due to COVID-19 pandemic. Formula One also took off the races to be held in both the North and South American continent with Mexico City Grand Prix, the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo and the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal all removed from this year's schedule. Formula One on Friday substituted the races dropped from the American circuit by adding three more races to the revamped 2020 calendar, taking the total races count to 13 for the season. According to Formula One.com, F1 racing will return to Portugal for the first time since 1996 in Portimao after it was announced alongside classic races in Imola and Nuerburgring. The Algarve International Circuit in Portimao will host the Portuguese Grand Prix on October 23-25, two weeks after the Grand Prix at Germany's Nuerburgring. Meanwhile, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola will play hosts to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which will be a two-day event.

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

The US Grand Prix was scheduled to take place at Circuit of the Americas in Texas' Austin in October, but the American state has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic since its reopening. Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: "We want to pay tribute to our incredible partners in the Americas and look forward to being back with them next season when they will once again be able to thrill millions of fans around the world." Formula One said the decision was "due to the fluid nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, local restrictions and the importance of keeping communities and our colleagues safe", and had been made after ongoing discussions and close collaboration with the respective partners in the affected countries, according to formula1.com. The 2020 F1 calendar currently comprises of 13 races, with new events announced in Portimao, Imola and Nurburgring.