F1 has officially postponed the races in May with Dutch GP, Spanish GP and Monaco GP all to not take place on their original date due to COVID-19.
F1 has now officially confirmed that the Dutch GP, Spanish GP and Monaco GP will not place on its original date in May due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It follows the earlier announcement regarding Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China.
Considering the outbreak and its reach, it already looked like the the F1 races in May wouldn’t take place but the confirmation comes as an official word. With the summer shutdown brought forward to April/May, it has created some gap on the calendar.
The August break will certainly be used to slot the postponed F1 races, while the end of the 2020 season is most likely to be extended into December. The current announcement means that the first race should be the Azerbaijan GP on June 5-7.
However, at this stage, there can be no confirmation about the same. It is an unprecedented situation which is hurting everyone around the globe. It also looks like that F1 won’t be able to undertake 22 races and will aim for about 18-20.
Full statement from F1 and FIA:
“In view of the continued global spread of COVID-19 and after ongoing discussions with the FIA and the three promoters it has today been confirmed that the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2020, Formula 1 Gran Premio De España 2020 and Formula 1 Grand Prix De Monaco 2020 will be postponed.
“Due to the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula 1, the FIA and the three promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern.
F’ormula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with affected promoters and local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve.
Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the 2020 Championship season as soon as it’s safe to do so after May and will continue to regularly monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation.”
UPDATE: After Monaco’s Prince Albert was diagnosed with COVID-19, the promoters of the grand prix has decided to cancel the grand prix all-together. This comes after F1 announced the postponement of the races in May.
https://twitter.com/ACM_Media/status/1240692013302820864?s=20
UPDATE 2: Together with F1, F2 and F3 have confirmed that their races won’t be held in the month of May as well, with no information yet on resumption. CEO Bruno Michel said: “Together with the FIA and Formula 1, we’re closely monitoring the situation and we are studying possible new dates should the situation improve.
“For the time being, all F2 and F3 track activities are on hold. This of course includes our April testing in Barcelona (F2) and in Budapest (F3), along with a two-day test in Barcelona at the end of May (also for F3). Until we can get back on track we wish our teams, drivers, partners and all our fans well.”
Here’s the latest from Vietnam GP about tickets
Here’s news on early F1 shutdown
Here’s Chase Carey apologising F1 fans
Here’s news on F1 postponing Baharain, Vietnam