Finance increasingly important for new circuits: 'Will weigh more heavily in 2021'

The Formula 1 calendar of 2021 has already been announced, but there is still one gap in the schedule. However, Ross Brawn now indicates in a new interview that Formula 1 is open to a possible return of Imola, Portugal or Turkey.

After an eventful season in 2020, Formula 1 wants to return to a normal season in 2021, with as many races as possible that can bring back a lot of money. Last season F1 cost a lot, because all the costs of the circuits had to be paid for.

''We have seen good races in Imola, Portugal and also Turkey, so everything is open. Of course we're very sorry that we can't go to Vietnam, but we'll find a suitable candidate for that place on the calendar,'' says Brawn opposite La Gazzetta dello Sport. However, the top man of Formula 1 indicates that it will be less non-committal than in 2020.

''It is clear that next year we want to return to normal and therefore also look at the commercial aspect. Some countries can offer more commercially and we need to take that into account in our decision. We need to get back to a normal financial situation as soon as possible, so the commercial aspect will weigh more heavily in 2021,'' said Brawn.

Testing will also take place before the 2020 F1 season, but Brawn says that it is not yet clear whether testing will take place in Bahrain or Spain. ''We still have discussions with the teams and will decide in the coming weeks," concludes Brawn.