The FIA Formula E Championship has decided to suspend any racing action for the period of two months amid COVID-19 outbreak.
Formula E already had to cancel Sanya (March), Rome (April) and Jakarta (June) due to COVID-19 outbreak, although the latter looked under-prepared anyways. The idea around two month suspension already floated around earlier in the week.
Several websites reported of the same but Formula E only confirmed it on Friday. Along with the three races mentioned, Paris (April 18) and Seoul (May 3) are the two races which won’t be held on their original date with Berlin (June 21) might be safe.
The idea from Formula E is to not hold any races in March and April – dubbed as red category – while they have put May in yellow category which means they can think of hosting races if situation improves. June is in green zone when racing should resume.
Here’s the full statement from Formula E:
“The decision, made in coordination with the relevant local authorities to temporarily freeze races held in highly-populated cities, was taken as the most responsible course of action, due to the continued spread of coronavirus and the World Health Organisation officially declaring COVID-19 a pandemic.
“With the well-being of staff, spectators and the entire championship workforce being the number one priority, precautionary measures put in place will restrict races from running during a set timeframe.
“The series is implementing a flag system traditionally used in motorsport, to determine different phases and time windows where races could be rearranged or remain unaffected. Red representing no races, yellow keeping the opportunity open and green going ahead as planned.
“Months marked as red flags are March and April, with May currently categorised as a yellow flag and both June and July given the green flag, should the situation improve and stabilise. As a consequence of the suspension, it will no longer be possible to race in Paris and Seoul, or Jakarta as previously announced on the originally scheduled dates.
“Working in collaboration with the FIA and local authorities in each event location, Formula E will closely monitor the situation and evaluate options to organise and reschedule races following the temporary suspension.
“Right now is the time to take responsible actions and this is why we have decided to temporarily suspend the season and move forward with introducing measures to freeze races from taking place over the next two months,” said Alejandro Agag, Founder & Chairman of Formula E.
“Motorsport plays a major part in our lives and it is important, but what is more important is the health and safety of our staff, fans and their families, as well as citizens in the cities we race. The ABB FIA Formula E Championship will be back in full force, once the ongoing health crisis and spread of COVID- 19 has subsided.”
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