FORMULA ONE
FORMulA ONE became the first major sport yesterday to announce its proposed comeback date — July 5, in Austria. The bold target was set by chief executive Chase Carey, who was keen to staunch the negativity of 10 postponements or cancellations since coronavirus caused the Australian Grand Prix to be called off in mid-March. Carey said he was ‘increasingly confident’ the season would start in the summer. He said: ‘We’re targeting racing in Europe through July, August and the beginning of September, with the first in Austria.
‘September, October and November would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15 and 18 races. We will publish our finalised calendar as soon as we can.
‘We expect the early races to be without fans but hope they will be part of our events as we move forward.’
Sportsmail understands: l Austria’s Red bull Ring will hold back-to-back races on July 5 and 12 before the first of two races at Silverstone on July 19. The second british race will probably come after a week’s break, on August 2. The first of the Silverstone races is expected to be officially called the british Grand Prix. A name for the other is yet to be decided.
l Spain and Hungary are being looked into as locations for the next races in August.
l Australia and Monaco are the only two countries of the original 22 whose races are definitely off.
The French Grand Prix was cancelled yesterday but the Paul Ricard circuit could yet host an event under a different name.
As well as fans being excluded from all the early rounds, each team will cut their numbers down to essential racing staff — about 60. TV rights-holders will broadcast the races, although with minimal staff on site.
The travelling party will be tested for coronavirus before flying and/or on arrival. F1 will charter special planes, with race personnel staying together in nominated hotels.
F1 will cover the costs of circuits, such as Silverstone, that rely on ticket sales to stay afloat. Others, such as Abu Dhabi, Vietnam, China and Russia, who derive prestige from F1, are expected to pay their hosting fees as usual.