Formula 1 has announced race start times will revert back to the traditional 2pm European time for the 2021 season.
In a move commissioned by Liberty Media from 2018, the race start was moved back a further hour to 3:10pm.
F1’s owners felt the move would benefit American TV audiences, with the shift in time allowing broadcasters to begin their pre-race coverage prior to lights out.
But with the changes leading to confusion over when cars could leave the pits to head to the grid and the timing of pre-race ceremonies, it wasn’t widely received by the F1 paddock.
Following discussions with teams, it has been agreed that from this year F1 will revert back to its original start time format for the majority of its races.
F1 has reaffirmed its aim to deliver the 23-race calendar in its entirety, although it has already been forced to make changes to work around travel restrictions enforced in countries due to COVID-19.
Australia has postponed its grand prix until November, while Imola has been added to the schedule as the second round of the season.
The third race remains TBC, but an announcement from F1 is expected in the coming weeks that the slot will be filled by Portimao.
F1 also confirmed practice times for both Friday sessions have been reduced to one hour.
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