First-ever F1 race at Mugello confirmed for 2020

Formula 1 has confirmed that Mugello will stage its first-ever grand prix in September as part of the revised 2020 calendar.

The Ferrari-owned venue will form the last part of a third triple-header of races by making its F1 calendar debut on September 13, following directly after the Italian Grand Prix on September 6 and Belgium Grand Prix on August 30.

F1 has also announced that the Russian Grand Prix will go ahead as originally planned at Sochi on September 27, after a week’s break following the Mugello race which will be formally called the Gran Premio Della Toscana.

The race at Mugello will mark Ferrari’s 1000th grand prix. The Italian outfit recently tested at the circuit as it stepped up preparations for start of the heavily-delayed 2020 season in Austria.

“We are delighted to announce Mugello and Sochi will be part of the 2020 calendar and want to thank all our partners for their support in recent weeks,” said F1 CEO and chairman Chase Carey.

“We had great start to our season in Austria last weekend and we are increasingly confident in our plans to race throughout the remainder of 2020.

“The Russian Grand Prix is a major moment in our season, and we are looking forward to being back in Sochi in September,” he added.

“We are equally excited to see Formula 1 race for the first time at Mugello, an occasion that will mark Ferrari’s 1000th Grand Prix.

“Both races will be a huge boost for fans with more announcements on the next races in our calendar coming in the weeks ahead.”

With two more races added to the developing 2020 schedule, there will now be a total of 10 races in just 13 weeks.

More events are expected to follow with F1 now set to shift its focus onto October, when it hopes to visit Asia.

It was hoped that the previously postponed Chinese Grand Prix could be revived, however such hopes were dealt a fresh blow after China announced it was cancelling nearly all international sports events until the end of the year.

An inaugural F1 grand prix in Vietnam could still take place, while Portimao is understood to be in contention to stage a round.

There are still major doubts whether races in the Americas - including the United States, Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix will be able to go ahead due to COVID-19.