Formula 1 had painted the 2022 season as one of records, starting with the number of GPs scheduled: 23, never so many. The same record figure had also been forecast last year, but the pandemic had made it unattainable and the Circus had ‘stopped’ at 22 races, a number of events nevertheless never reached in the past. This year the complications came due to an even more tragic event: the war in Ukraine. The aggression brought by Russia to Kyiv has prompted the leaders of F1 to cancel the stage scheduled for 25 September at the Sochi circuit.
On the sidelines of the stop at the race scheduled on the circuit that runs along the Black Sea, however Stefano Domenicalisports number 1, pointed out how “F1 will have no problem replacing the Sochi race“. The Circus plan is therefore clear and provides for the confirmation of a calendar with 23 GPs. If there is no shortage of candidates to host what would be the 17th round of the championship, however, a choice must also include geographical assessments. The racing program this year is very busy and it does not seem possible to shift dates. Furthermore, the appointment of 25 September would be the first of a triptych of consecutive races. In fact, in quick succession we will go to Singapore and Suzuka.
Among the tracks that have offered to replace Sochi there is also that of Portimao. The Portuguese facility, beloved by drivers and fans, has been the venue for competitions for the past two years. “We are in talks with Formula 1 to organize a substitute race – said the boss of the Portuguese circuit Paulo Pinheiro to the newspaper Correio da Manha – however, much depends on solving logistical issues“. Transferring the entire paddock in the space of just four days from Portugal to Singapore seems almost impossible. Losail and Istanbul were nominated as further possible candidates, while the German broadcaster RTL claims that Hockenheim “Has not received a request” by Formula 1.
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