F1 2020 season update with three cancelled races included on 19-race calendar
The 2020 F1 season is yet to get underway due to the coronavirus crisis.
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Formula One chiefs are working towards an updated calendar which includes the Hungarian Grand Prix, despite mass gatherings being banned in the country until August 15th. Ever since the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled at the start of the season, several other races have had to follow suit due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
The French Grand Prix became the latest race to be cancelled earlier this week, with F1 working towards a potential return in Austria on July 5.
F1 chief Chase Carey confirmed that date as the sport's target for getting back up to speed.
“We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September,” said Carey, “with the first race taking place in Austria on 3rd-5th July weekend.”
But the calendar might look very different towards the end of the year with the Hungarian Grand Prix - scheduled for after the race at Silverstone - unlikely to go ahead as planned.
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The Hungarian government issued a statement on Thursday banning events with more than 500 people taking place until August 15th.
Race officials are now considering options on how the weekend can go ahead as planned, with the only possible solution being a Grand Prix behind closed doors.
“The Hungaroring team has been regularly liaising with Formula 1 — the series’ international rights holder — to explore all possible ways to stage the 35th Formula 1 Magyar Nagydij in front of fans,” they said in a statement.
“However, in light of this decision this is unfortunately no longer possible.
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“The health and wellbeing of all our fantastic Formula 1 fans, staff and championship participants has been and remains our primary concern throughout this period and with that in mind, we have regrettably been left with no choice but to reach this conclusion.
“We have continuously emphasised our willingness to work towards a safe solution that would allow us to welcome the entire Formula 1 family to the Hungaroring this August but it is now evident that any F1 race in Hungary can now only be held behind closed doors.”
The level of uncertainty around the safety of those that work in F1 helping to get racing back underway has led to question marks regarding a July start date for the sport.
But it has now been revealed a draft 19-race calendar has been put to teams, with "doubles races" to take place in Austria, England and Bahrain.
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Postponed races such as Hanoi, Shanghai and Barcelona are also included on the draft calendar, but both Zandvoort and Singapore have been omitted from the list.
There had been reports that both Spa and Monza could potentially be excluded from the 2020 calendar.
But Spa Grand Prix president Melchior Wathelet insists they are still working towards the current race date of August 30.
“Yes, it is still quite possible to have a Belgian GP,” he told RTBF.
“The date is still free and Belgium is a candidate for the organisation of its event.”