Formula One is set to start the 2020 season in early July with Austrian Grand Prix, according to CEO – Chase Carey.
Following news of the French GP being cancelled and British GP taking place behind closed doors, Carey has moved to confirm that the sport is ‘increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer.’
The plan is to target racing in Europe through July, August and early September, with the Austrian GP kicking off the season on weekend of 3-5 July.
Autumn would then see F1 race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, before finishing in December with Bahrain followed by the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, with the aim of ‘having completed between 15-18 races.’
Carey has also confirmed that the finalised calendar will be published as soon as practically possible to do so.
What Does This Mean for Calendar?
Although the latest update suggests that racing in Europe behind closed doors could be possible, there are however some logistical issues to overcome before we get many European races in.
Belgian and Dutch governments have confirmed bans on mass gatherings until September at earliest, which means that races at Spa Francorchamps and Zandvoort look unlikely unless squeezed into early September if the Italian GP is cancelled.
Hungarian GP meanwhile remains unclear with the country currently banning travellers from Italy, which would affect Alpha Tauri and Ferrari’s ability to race in Budapest if that remains the case come mid summer.
Doubts also surround Spain who continue to forbid mass social gatherings, including football whilst Baku is in question due to the 10-12 week preparation time required for them to host a race.
Just three European races in Austria, UK and Russia therefore look a real possibility, whilst it’s a similar situation in Americas with USA a serious doubt due to lockdown defiance and continuous rises in cases and no clear exit strategy in sight.
Mexico and Brazil meanwhile remain unclear as governments continue to get to grips with Coronavirus, although the former has introduced budget cuts which could financially affect the chances of the Mexican GP going ahead.
Canada meanwhile needs to go ahead by late October at latest owing to the weather climate in Montreal, which can often be bad over winter.
Japan have postponed the Olympics to summer 2021 and have imposed travelling bans on various countries, including all of Europe which places serious doubt on a race at Suzuka whilst China is currently entering a second wave to add extra doubt on Shanghai.
Bahrain are continuing to subject people to quarantine upon entering the country whilst social gatherings are limited to five people at maximum, which too puts question marks over racing in the desert at present.
Abu Dhabi are slowly lifting lockdown restrictions although gatherings are limited to 10 people, which should hopefully be upgraded throughout the year and have little impact on the traditional season finale apart from social distancing rules possibly in place.
Double headers at some circuits therefore looks likely in order to give the sport a good chance at getting in the required eight races, especially across the required three different continents to officiate a proper world championship.
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