• Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton reacts after winning the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix and equalling Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles. AP
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton reacts after winning the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix and equalling Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles. AP
  • Lewis Hamilton gets emotional after winning the Turkish GP for Mercedes. AFP
    Lewis Hamilton gets emotional after winning the Turkish GP for Mercedes. AFP
  • An emotional Lewis Hamilton after winning the Turkish GP for Mercedes, and with it the world title. Reuters
    An emotional Lewis Hamilton after winning the Turkish GP for Mercedes, and with it the world title. Reuters
  • Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton after winning the Turkish GP. Reuters
    Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton after winning the Turkish GP. Reuters
  • Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton joined Michael Schumacher as the sports' only seven times champions. Reuters
    Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton joined Michael Schumacher as the sports' only seven times champions. Reuters
  • Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Turkish GP at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack on Sunday. AP
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Turkish GP at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack on Sunday. AP
  • Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton is the most successful F1 driver of all time. Reuters
    Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton is the most successful F1 driver of all time. Reuters
  • Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Turkish GP on Sunday to clinch the world title. Getty
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Turkish GP on Sunday to clinch the world title. Getty
  • Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes during a wet Turkish GP in Istanbul on Sunday. EPA
    Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes during a wet Turkish GP in Istanbul on Sunday. EPA
  • Racing Point team work in the pitlane in Istanbul. Getty
    Racing Point team work in the pitlane in Istanbul. Getty
  • Mercedes Valtteri Bottas was the only other driver who could challenge Lewis Hamitlon for the world title. Getty
    Mercedes Valtteri Bottas was the only other driver who could challenge Lewis Hamitlon for the world title. Getty
  • The Turkish GP was impacted by weather over the weekend. Reuters
    The Turkish GP was impacted by weather over the weekend. Reuters
  • Conditions were challenging for drivers at the Turkish GP. Getty
    Conditions were challenging for drivers at the Turkish GP. Getty
  • Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari at Istanbul track on Sunday. Getty
    Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari at Istanbul track on Sunday. Getty

Turkish Grand Prix to replace Canada on 2021 Formula One calendar


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Turkey will replace Canada on this year's Formula One calendar after the June 13 race in Montreal was cancelled for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

F1 said it had extended Montreal's contract by two years to take into account the cancellations, securing the race until 2031.

The race had been scheduled for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve at the weekend after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and Turkey's Istanbul circuit will be logistically convenient for air freight coming from Baku.

The Turkish race returned last year for the first time since 2011 and also at short notice to bolster a calendar ravaged by the pandemic.

Canada is experiencing a rise in cases, with Ontario – neighbouring province to Quebec – particularly badly affected.

"Due to the ongoing international travel restrictions in place in Canada it became impossible for Formula One to enter the country without a mandatory 14-day quarantine," the governing body said in a statement.

The sport has operated in a bubble, with teams and staff regularly tested and many vaccinated while races have been held behind closed doors.

F1 said that more than 78,000 Covid-19 tests conducted last season produced only 78 positive results. There have been more than 12,000 tests this season with 14 positives.

"I want to thank the promoter and authorities in Canada for all of their efforts in recent weeks but the travel situation made our plans impossible," said chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

"I equally want to thank the promoter and authorities in Turkey for their ongoing willingness to host a Formula One race that shows the huge interest in our sport and the hope from many locations to have a Grand Prix."

Last year's wet and slippery grand prix at Istanbul Park was held in November and produced one of the highlights of the season, with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton clinching a record-equalling seventh world title.

F1 said it would work with the Canadian promoter to refund or transfer tickets.

Gallery: Verstappen wins Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

  • Red Bull driver Max Verstappen crosses the finish line to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the Imola racetrack in Italy on Sunday, April 18, 2021. AP
    Red Bull driver Max Verstappen crosses the finish line to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the Imola racetrack in Italy on Sunday, April 18, 2021. AP
  • Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates winning the Emilia Romagna GP on Sunday. Getty
    Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates winning the Emilia Romagna GP on Sunday. Getty
  • Race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates after winning the Emilia Romagna GP. Getty
    Race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates after winning the Emilia Romagna GP. Getty
  • Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished second at Imola on Sunday. AP
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished second at Imola on Sunday. AP
  • Third placed Lando Norris of McLaren in Imola. Getty
    Third placed Lando Norris of McLaren in Imola. Getty
  • Lewis Hamilton during the Emilia Romagna GP. Getty
    Lewis Hamilton during the Emilia Romagna GP. Getty
  • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc races at Imola on Sunday. Reuters
    Ferrari's Charles Leclerc races at Imola on Sunday. Reuters
  • Lance Stroll of Aston Martin in Imola. Getty
    Lance Stroll of Aston Martin in Imola. Getty
  • Fernando Alonso in the pit lane. Getty
    Fernando Alonso in the pit lane. Getty