Boss Carey contemplates new venues
LONDON: Formula One could stage a series of races at new venues in an attempt to salvage the coronavirus-hit season, the sport’s chief Chase Carey said on Thursday.
On the day that Liberty Media, the company which runs the sport, reported a collapse in revenues of more than US$200 million (€184.7 million) in the first quarter of the year, Carey insisted that a 15-18 race season was still possible.
He also admitted that all scenarios are on the table “including the remote possibility of no racing in 2020”.
So far, 10 races of what was to have been a record 22-event championship have either been cancelled or postponed.
The season will only get underway in Austria on July 5 and behind closed doors.
“We have two primary challenges, identifying locations where we can hold the races and determining how we transport all necessary parties and their equipment to that location for a race,” said Carey.
“We’re in discussion with all of our promoters as well as some tracks that are not currently on our 2020 calendar to ensure we explore all options.”
New venues which are reportedly being considered are Portimao in Portugal and Imola in Italy, once the long-time home of the San Marino Grand Prix.
Austria’s Spielberg circuit is expected to host a second race on July 12 with Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix, also tipped for back-to-back events on July 19 and 26.
“We are in advanced stages of putting together a schedule of additional European races through early September, including races during the traditional August break,” added Carey.