Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has stated that Formula 1 are taking a flexible approach when it comes to the 2021 calendar, revealing that alternative races are on standby if further changes are necessary. The 2020 season was turned upside down after 13 planned events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the previously announced 23-race calendar for 2021 has already seen its fair share of changes. F1 have already postponed the Australian Grand Prix while the event in China is currently off the calendar, but Domenicali stated the series is intent on delivering the current schedule while remaining vigilant about any potential changes. "We are, and I personally am in contact on a daily basis with all of the organisers, because we know that the pandemic is still there, and we know very well about it," he told Sky Sports F1. "That's why we changed the place in the calendar on Australia. But so far, the information that we have is everyone would really like to go ahead with the plan. "Of course, we need to be flexible enough to understand that maybe in the first part of the season, we may have some events with no public or with a restricted number of public. But what I can assure our supporters and our fans is that really we want to make sure that the season is there. We have a commitment, we want to take that on board. "We have possible alternatives in case of, but so far, no-one has given us different information from what we've shared." The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola has already been added to the schedule with the Portuguese Grand Prix another possible addition, but Domenicali believes F1 are open to discussing the length of the calendar. "Twenty-three races is a very important number of races, no doubt, in terms of quantity, in terms of attention, in terms of dedication of the people," he added. "There could be two positions on that respect. Someone can say there are too many, some others that it is not a problem. "I would say that this equation will solve itself by the fact that if we are able to deliver an incredible product, we may go to a situation where maybe we can go back to a number, a fewer number of races, having maybe the chance of having rotation possibility for certain grand prix, keeping a focus on different areas. "This is something that is in our plan to think carefully this year, and get ready when the world will be normal again." The Formula 1 season is currently scheduled to begin on March 28 in Bahrain.
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