Red Bull driver Max Verstappen says he would prefer to have some older Formula 1 venues back on the calendar permanently in the wake of their 2020 events.
Formula 1 had to heavily overhaul its schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with only four events taking place on their original date, and over half of the planned rounds cancelled.
The championship’s need to have a predominantly European calendar meant the Nürburgring and Imola returned after a long absence while Mugello and Portimao joined for the first time.
Next year’s provisional calendar features 23 events but none of the rounds that were a Covid-related stand-in are present.
There remains a potentially vacant berth, with the event listed for April 25 lacking a venue amid Vietnam’s absence, prompting suggestions that a 2020 stand-in circuit could still yet return.
“We’ve had a few good races,” said Verstappen when asked for his preference on a Hanoi replacement.
“Portimao was cool but I hope we have a bit more grip if we ever go back there. Imola was nice – I think the track was very old school.
“Nurburgring I also enjoyed so there are a few which could replace some grands prix we have on the calendar.
“I will go for Imola, a bit more old school. You’re running at some corners all the way up to the gravel so if you go too wide you’re off so I would go for that one, even though Mugello was nice as well.
“It’s difficult to pick but like I said it’s better to remove a few of the ones we have now and add these back in.”
Next year’s championship is due to begin in Australia on March 21.
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