F1 has revealed initial details of the re-shaped 2020 calendar with Austrian GP is pinned as the 2020 starter with 15-18 grand prix still being planned.
Following the last message from Chase Carey, where he noted about 15-18 races being planned for the 2020 F1 season, the American sticks to his plans in a latest statement, as he shares an idea of re-shaped calendar which could start with Austrian GP.
Red Bull Racing consultant Dr. Helmut Marko had revealed that Austrian Government is working with them to see the possibility of Red Bull Ring hosting the 2020 opener on its original date of July 3-5 as COVID-19 related restrictions are being lowered.
The idea was for a double-header, where the second race could take place on a weekday, where both fans and journalists wouldn’t be allowed. In his latest message, Carey confirms that they are looking to re-start in Austria but did not divulge any further details.
Post that, F1 is looking to host races in Europe until September start, after which they would move to Eurasia, Asia and America, before ending with Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in December. It looks like the stretch to January 2021 is now off the table.
With 15-18 races still on their mind, it could be that some of the circuits stages two races. As things stand, only Monaco GP and French GP have been officially cancelled for 2020 and won’t be held before 2021, rest all is classified as postponed.
It remains to be seen if Australia can happen and or they go to China even plus the weather condition in Canada will play a decisive role, whether it is possible to take place in the latter half of the year. All of it is still in the planning stage as restrictions continue.
The full statement from Chase Carey:
“Although this morning it was announced that the French Grand Prix, due to take place in late June, will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer. We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, 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.
“We expect the early races to be without fans but hope fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule. We still have to work out many issues like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country. The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one and we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues.
“The FIA, teams, promoters, and other key partners have been working with us throughout these steps and we want to thank them for all their support and efforts during this incredibly challenging time. We also want to recognise the fact that the teams have been supporting us at the same time that they have been focusing enormous and heroic efforts to build ventilators to help those infected by COVID-19.
“While we have been moving forward with our 2020 plans, we have also been working hard with the FIA and the teams to strengthen the long term future of F1 through an array of new technical, sporting, and financial regulations that will improve the competition and action on the track and make it a healthier business for all involved, particularly as we engage the issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“All of our plans are obviously subject to change as we still have many issues to address and all of us are subject to the unknowns of the virus. We all want the world to return to the one we know and cherish, yet we recognise it must be done in the right and safest way. We look forward to doing our part by enabling our fans to once again safely share the excitement of F1 with family, friends, and the broader community.”
A potential start date for the season
Formula 1 is targeting a 15-18 race season, beginning in Austria on the weekend of July 3-5 #F1 pic.twitter.com/UjBGtvDj2s
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 27, 2020
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