POPULAR RACES ARE AXED
FORMULA ONE chiefs are scrambling to save the season after pulling the plug on races in Japan,
Singapore and Azerbaijan.
The popular and moneyspinning Grands Prix were axed from the 2020 calendar yesterday.
Constructing street circuits in Singapore and Baku would have been too difficult, while Japan’s travel restrictions led to the removal of Suzuka. Seven races have now been scrapped, including the showpiece Monaco GP, while Canada, Mexico, the US and Brazil could follow suit.
The first of eight races in Europe starts in Austria on July 5, with back-toback races at Silverstone in August.
F1’s managing director Ross Brawn (above) hopes they can add tracks for a season of 15 to 18 races.
A second race in Italy has been mooted for Mugello or Imola, while Germany’s Hockenheim and Portugal’s Portimao are other possibilities as Lewis Hamilton (right) defends his title.
F1 supremos also hope to end the championship in Abu Dhabi in December after visiting Bahrain, which could each host two races.
Brawn said: “Things are moving fast, but we still have time. We have lots of
CHARLIE MARTIN’S dreams may have been put on hold for a year but she is more determined than ever to become a sporting trailblazer.
Today was supposed to mark the beginning of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race – the pinnacle of endurance racing – until Covid-19 wreaked havoc.
While the 2020 edition will take place later this year, Martin will instead embark on a 12-month plan to be in France in June 2021… and become the first transgender person to compete in the race.
Racing at Le Mans would complete an incredible journey for the Leicesterborn 38-year-old, who finally became her authentic self when she transitioned in
2013. Later this month Martin will join Germany’s Nurburgring Endurance
Series but admits her eyes are on next year.
She said: “In some respects, Le Mans is the trickiest thing to accomplish because it takes so much time and energy.
“It is something I want to do as an individual but I see it as something much bigger than that.
“It’s about inspiring other people, so that they can achieve the things that they want to do, so that they can have their dreams, their ambitions, their career that they want in their sport.”
Martin’s return to racing following her transition was far from smooth.
She said: “The first time I walked back into the paddock as me, I was physically shaking.
“I really had to push myself to get out of my car and face everybody.
“One of the things I love most about the sport is the community, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging. I felt like different options and we’re very confident we’re going to have a great second half of the season.
“There is a contingency to have an extended European season with another one or two races if needed.
“I think Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will be the backstop of the season. That gives us 10.
“We’ll find at least five or six good races in the middle.
“We’re not going to declare it yet, as it’s still a work in progress.”