Wolff expecting 'reasonably normal' second half for F1

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Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff believes Formula 1 will enjoy a "reasonably normal" second half of its 2021 season as the global pandemic hopefully begins to subside.

On the back of a heavily disrupted 2020 campaign during which Formula 1 worked miracles to save a season that was reduced to 17 rounds, the sport ambitions to hold a record 23 races this year.

However, as the coronavirus continues to linger around the world and travel restrictions remain in force, more disruption has taken hold of F1's calendar.

Australian Grand Prix organisers have postponed their season-opening event to the back half of the year while China's round in Shanghai has been temporarily dropped but with little chances of being reinstated at a later date.

How the global pandemic will unfold in the near term is anybody's guess, despite the widespread initiation of vaccine campaigns. So, more turmoil could be in the works for race organisers and F1.

"This fear is justified, of course," Wolff told Austrian broadcaster ORF. "Australia has been postponed, but the Grand Prix is so important that they didn’t want to cancel it completely.

"That will be followed up at the end of the year.

“And China has a general ban on major events until August. These are two factors that we can’t influence. That’s why we’re starting in Bahrain.

"We’re familiar with that, and it’s always relatively easy there."

Read also: Melbourne using Aussie GP delay to remodel Albert Park track

Wolff is nevertheless confident that F1's season will unravel without any major disorder after the summer, although the heavy workload is likely to take its toll on teams.

"I’m already assuming that we’ll have a reasonably normal season again after the summer," he added.

"It will certainly be incredibly difficult for the race team as well. We will have three triple headers in a row. You won’t get home for four weeks. Of course, that’s an enormous burden."

Formula 1's 2021 season will kick off in Bahrain on March 28, with pre-season testing taking place at Sakhir on March 12-14.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.