April 2021 events: The waiting is over
After Covid rescheduling, an all-star cast gathers for the start of the 2021 IndyCar season. Here’s what you need to know...
Reigning champion Scott Dixon will be looking for his seventh title; last season he won the first three races
IndyCar – Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, April 18
Indycar’s delayed season gets underway at Barber Motorsports Park and it’s a star-studded grid in 2021. Scott Dixon defends his crown against familiar faces and championship-calibre rookies, as seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and Australian Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin arrive on the scene in what is sure to be an intriguing season.
Romain Grosjean has confirmed he will be competing in select rounds of the 2021 season on circuit and street layouts with Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing.
Arrow McLaren announced it will have a new line-up for 2021 with the arrival of Felix Rosenqvist, but also has a headliner in the car in the form of Juan Pablo Montoya, who will attempt to win the Indy 500 once again in May.
Juan Pablo Montoya will be competing in his first Indy 500 since 2017, with Arrow McLaren
James Hinchcliffe is back at Andretti Autosport full-time after his handful of appearances last year, and Simona de Silvestro will take on Indianapolis as part of the all-female Paretta Autosport outfit.
Calendar-wise, the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, Tennessee is scheduled to host its first IndyCar race in early August though races at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas and Richmond Raceway in Virginia are not returning this year.
Last season’s Indy Grand Prix was a casualty of the pandemic and slipped from the calendar, but in 2019 it was Takuma Sato that took the victory ahead of Scott Dixon and Sébastien Bourdais.
The Japanese driver showed just how crucial pole position is around Barber Motorsports Park and dominated the majority of the race from the front row.
Will that be the case once again or can someone prove it’s possible to win from further down the grid?
MotoGP — Grand Prix of Doha
April 4, Losail International Circuit, Lusail
The second of two Qatar races, the Grand Prix of Doha is the first alteration made to the 2021 calendar after Covid-19 impacted the original plan. Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso was the winner in Qatar in 2019, but will the team’s new line-up produce the goods this year?
Formula 1 — Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
April 18, Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
Imola is back again on the Formula 1 calendar as it plays host to round two of the 2021 season. Last year it was Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton that were victorious as overtaking proved tricky, but altered ’21 cars may change that.
WEC – 8 Hours of Portimāo
April 4, Portimão, Portugal
A new season and a new era in the World Endurance Championship begins in Portugal, as the 6 Hours of Portimão replaces the 1000 Miles of Sebring. Toyota and Glickenhaus have both entered two hypercars, while Alpine will compete with a grandfathered LMP1 effort.
NASCAR – Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500
April 10, Martinsville, Virginia
After its first foray on dirt since the ’70s, NASCAR sticks with the short-track racing and heads to Martinsville. Last season, reigning champion Chase Elliott put together a gutsy drive to set up his shot at the title. Can he repeat his performance?
Formula E – Rome ePrix
April 10, Rome, Italy
A brand new circuit layout in Rome will play host to the third round of the Formula E 2020/21 season. The track will go through the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana and Ninfeo Park and feature plenty of elevation and road-surface changes.
More April events
April 5 750 Motor Club Car Championships, Donington Park (GP)
April 22-25 World Rally Championship – Croatia Rally
April 24 Formula E – Valencia ePrix