Brawn hints at second Bahrain race on 'almost oval' layout

F1 director of motorsport Ross Brawn says Bahrain could potentially host a double-header event later this year, with the venue's second race taking place on an alternative "almost oval" layout.

Formula 1 was scheduled to visit Bahrain in the early part of the 2020 season but the race was postponed due to the coronavirus and is now expected to bookend along with Abu Dhabi the end of year.

However, the prospect of at least three more races facing imminent cancellation - Singapore, Baku and Suzuka - and others like Brazil and Viernam also looking very uncertain could lead to F1 racing twice in Bahrain.

Thanks to its various configurations, one of which was used by F1 in 2010, the Sakir track could stage an event on its outer layout, comprised mainly of fast corners.

• Mugello considered by F1 as follow-up event after Monza

"One of the nice attractions of Bahrain is it has many configurations," Brawn told Formula1.com. "So we could go to Bahrain and race on two different tracks there.

"There’s a nice sort of almost oval track that would be quite exciting, and all the layouts have a Grade 1 licence with the FIA, so that is an option in the pocket.

"Using two configurations involves quite a lot of work for the riggers – for example the timing needs setting up for two tracks so you need plenty of notice.

"That’s something we have to take into account."

The likely cancellation of several fly-way post-summer rounds of the F1 world championship has incited F1 to consider adding more dates in Europe after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6.

Mugello is seen as a viable reserve venue, as well as Hockenheim, but Brawn wouldn't specifically name those two circuits.

"We’re not going to declare it yet, as it’s still a work in progress," he explained.

"What we really want to avoid is announcing and changing it. We also need to announce it in enough time so people can make plans. We hope some races in the second half of the season will have spectators, so we need time for ticket sales and promotion to take place.”

"We’re not going to declare it yet, as it’s still a work in progress.

"What we really want to avoid is announcing and changing it. We also need to announce it in enough time so people can make plans.

"We hope some races in the second half of the season will have spectators, so we need time for ticket sales and promotion to take place."

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