Formula 1 is expected to unveil its next lot of races for its truncated 2020 season this week with Mugello set to be the first round on the new schedule while Portugal will also receive its maiden Grand Prix.
After the global pandemic saw a myriad of cancellations and postponements, F1 unveiled an eight-round European leg to get the ball rolling.
The season kicked off at the Red Bull Ring in Austria last weekend and will return to the Styrian venue this weekend as a part of the first of two doubleheaders.
The F1 circus will then visit Hungary, stage two races around Silverstone and events in Spain, Spa and Monza which concludes the leg on September 7.
Now, reports from Autosport are confirming the Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit in Italy will host its debut Grand Prix on September 13.
Russia is expected to follow on from Mugello on September 27 and could be the first race back to welcome the return of spectators.
Portimao in Portugal is now set to land the next date after the Russian race while support by the Vietnamese Government to hold a race around its recently constructed Hanoi Street Circuit means the Asian nation could likely still feature in this year’s condensed schedule.
A race in China remains shrouded in uncertainty but a recent government decree stated that no major sporting events will go ahead in the country expect qualifying events in the lead up to the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
No Chinese race does put pressure on F1 and Vietnam to stage a race in Asia as was the sport’s initial intentions.
Bahrain and Abu Dhabi remain set to host the final portion of the calendar with a doubleheader at Sakhir before the finale in Abu Dhabi on December 13.
Meanwhile, Canada has seen its race hopes faded amid weather considerations while US, Mexico and Brazil are set to have their 2020 events shelved due to the pandemic threat.
F1 continues this weekend with the Styrian Grand Prix, the second round of the 2020 championship.