Austria in pole position for the start of the 2020 season
After a series of delays and cancellations, F1 seems to be finding a solution to launch its calendar. This could involve a double event held at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Austria, starting July 5th.
The day began with the announcement by the French Grand Prix promoter that the event was simply canceled for the season, marking the tenth such announcement since the fiasco of the last-minute cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix.
But a glimmer of hope seems to appear in the midst of the Austrian Alps: the country has begun its easing of lockdown measures since it is little affected by Covid-19. The advantage is that the Red Bull Ring is located in an isolated area with very low population density in the immediate vicinity of the circuit. That is why Chase Carey believes it is highly likely that the event can be held on its scheduled date, July 5th.
His goal remains to be able to present a calendar with 15 to 18 races on the program, which seems quite ambitious when considering that Australia, Monaco, and France are already officially canceled and it seems quite complicated to organize a race in Montreal in October or November… One solution would be to hold two races on the same circuit to ensure reaching the minimum of 8 races necessary for awarding a world title.
Indeed, Liberty Media and the FIA are working on a schedule that provides for a well-defined geographical distribution: from July to August in Europe, September – October in Eurasia (which would therefore include Baku) and Asia, before switching to Asia and the American continent in October-November, for an end of season in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in December.
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
But holding the event does not necessarily mean that spectators will be able to watch the races on site. Chase Carey thus confirmed that the first events would take place behind closed doors: « We expect the first events to be held without fans, but we hope that fans will be able to attend the events as the season progresses. We still need to work on many issues such as procedures for teams and our other partners to enter and work in each country. »
That’s why Silverstone confirmed this morning that if the British Grand Prix were to take place, fans would not have access. Ticket holders would then have the choice to either request a refund or transfer their ticket to the 2021 edition. However, thousands of tickets will be offered to healthcare workers to thank them for the sacrifices currently being made.
But these successive announcements were made on the same day as that of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, back to work after his hospitalization due to the coronavirus, who reaffirms that it is not the time for deconfinement in the UK in order to avoid a second wave. Yet, seven of the ten F1 teams are based in the United Kingdom…
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
