The FIA has confirmed that the shutdown has been officially extended for all the F1 teams and the four engine manufacturers due to COVID-19.
With COVID-19 pandemic derailing everything around the globe, the FIA were forced to take the decision to bring forward the August shutdown, so as to keep uniformity and also make it possible to hold F1 races later on if possible.
Already the shutdown was extended from 14 to 21 days as F1 teams announced their dates of closure. But with things only getting worse around the globe, the FIA has now confirmed that the factories will now be shut for a total of 35 days between March-May.
Not just the F1 teams but this will also be done for the four manufacturers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda – something which is not common. Several outfits are working but it is to help their Governments with devices to be used in healthcare.
The decision was taken via an e-vote where the WMSC gave a thumbs-up too. The news comes amid the talks they are having behind the scenes about calendar and also financial situation, with the crisis hurting everyone on the same scale.
The full statement from FIA about F1 shutdown read as:
“Following unanimous approval by the Formula 1 Strategy Group, Commission and all teams, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified by e-vote the decision to extend the Formula 1 shutdown period from 21 to 35 days, to be taken in March, April and/or May, for all competitors and Power Unit manufacturers. Further discussions regarding this topic remain open between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams in light of the ongoing global impact of COVID-19.”
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