Formula One news - Portugal takes vacant May 2 slot as part of F1's 23-race calendar beginning March

ByReuters

Updated 05/03/2021 at 12:07 GMT

The race will again be held at the Algarve circuit near Portimao that made its debut last October on a calendar reduced to 17 races as a result of cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That was the first Portuguese Grand Prix in 25 years. Formula One is planning a record 23 races this year, with the season starting on March 28 in Bahrain.

Portugal Grand Prix 2020

Image credit: Getty Images

Portugal will fill a slot left vacant by Vietnam and be the third race of the Formula One season on May 2, the sport confirmed on Friday.

"We want to thank the promoter and the Portuguese Government for their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point," said Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali in a statement.

"We are confident and excited about our 2021 season, having shown last year that we could deliver 17 races safely and bring our millions of fans thrilling racing at a difficult time.

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We hope to welcome fans to Portimao again this season in a safe way and are working with the promoter on the details of that plan.

Last year's Portuguese race weekend was attended by 27,000 spectators.

NO SPECTATORS FOR AZERBAIJAN

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku will go ahead without spectators in June after being cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A statement said it was still too soon for fans to attend safely, and tickets from 2020 would be valid for 2022 provided no refund had been sought.

"Our main priority this year will continue to be the health and safety of everyone working and participating at the event," said promoter Arif Rahimov.

The race had a reported three-day attendance of 85,000 in 2019, with overseas visitors accounting for almost a quarter.

It is scheduled to be the sixth round of the 2021 season, the June 6 date sandwiched between Monaco and Canada.

Azerbaijan is the first grand prix so far this year to confirm it will be behind closed doors. Most were held without spectators last year.

Tickets for the March 28 season-opener in Bahrain are being sold to fans who have been vaccinated or have recovered from the virus.

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