Formula 1 Targets Season Opener In Austria In July
Formula 1 has said its ‘target start date’ for the 2020 season will be in July with the Austrian Grand Prix.
In a statement, F1 CEO, Chase Carey, laid out plans to begin the season in Europe and said that a confirmed schedule would be released as soon as possible.
“We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September,” he said, “with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend.”
“September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15-18 races.
“We will publish our finalised calendar as soon as we possibly can.”
The news comes after F1 also confirmed that the French Grand Prix, scheduled for June, would not go ahead as planned due to the French government’s restrictions on major events until at least the middle of July.
Carey said of the cancellation: “We have been in close contact with the French promoter during this evolving situation and while it is disappointing for our fans and the F1 community that the French Grand Prix will not take place we fully support the decision taken by the French authorities in France and look forward to being back at Paul Ricard soon.”
Eric Boullier, Managing Director of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet said: “Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French state making it impossible to maintain our event.
“The eyes of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet are already turning towards the summer of 2021 in order to offer our spectators an even more unprecedented event at the heart of the Region Sud.”
Meanwhile, Stuart Pringle, Managing Director, Silverstone Circuits, has confirmed that the Pirelli British Grand Prix at Silverstone will not take place in front of fans.
“We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible,” he said in a statement. “But it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible.
“Following this weekend’s news from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport we are now working with them on the viability of an event behind closed doors. Should this be possible, it will be of some small comfort for you to know that the 2020 Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix will be available to watch live on Sky and Channel 4.”
So far, 10 Grands Prix have either been postponed or cancelled across the world due to the coronavirus pandemic.
