In this May 8, 2011 photo, (left to right) Lotus Renault GP's Russian driver Vitaly Petrov, Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso and Lotus Renault GP's German driver Nick Heidfeld drive at Istanbul Park in Istanbul during the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix. (MUSTAFA OZER / AFP)

BEIJING - Formula 1 has confirmed the final four races for the pandemic-affected 2020 season, taking the total number of Grands Prix to 17.

Formula 1 also confirmed that it was planning to allow a limited number of fans to attend some of the remaining races, without providing further details

The major new addition is the return of the Turkish GP at Istanbul Park for the first time since 2011, which will take place on November 15th.

The season ends with two races in Bahrain followed by the finale in Abu Dhabi on December 13th, just two weeks later than had originally been scheduled.

The announcement also means that the 2020 Chinese GP has officially been called off, despite rumors earlier in the year that the Shanghai-based event may still take place.

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Formula 1 also confirmed that it was planning to allow a limited number of fans to attend some of the remaining races, without providing further details.

A 17-race Formula 1 season would represent a significant victory for the sport and its governing body the FIA, with the COVID-19 pandemic having initially cast doubt on whether the 2020 season would run at all.

The 2020 season was originally slated to begin in mid-March for the first of a record 22 races. But the worsening spread of the pandemic meant the first 10 races were either postponed or canceled, and the season only began with the Austrian GP in July.

With F1 eager to replace events that were lost to the pandemic, the schedule has been rejigged to include three sets of back-to-back Grands Prix at the same venue, and five circuits not on the original 2020 calendar have also been added.

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"We are proud to announce that Turkey, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will be part of our 2020 season," said Formula 1 chairman and CEO Chase Carey. "This year has presented Formula 1 and the world with an unprecedented challenge and we want to pay tribute to everyone who has made this possible."

"While we are all disappointed that we have not been able to return to some of our planned races this year, we are confident our season has started well and will continue to deliver plenty of excitement with traditional, as well as new, races that will entertain all our fans."