Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, Netherlands, Spain, Monaco, Azerbaijan… The list of postponements or cancellations of Formula 1 grand prizes is getting longer as the health crisis linked to the coronavirus worsens. Already cut by more than a third of its program (8 races out of 22), the 2020 season will begin, in the best of cases, in Canada on June 14. If the situation is sufficiently restored for the sport to resume its rights and the red lights go out - which is still far from being won - then it will be necessary to find space in the calendar to reschedule the races which do not could not take place.
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The FIA has taken the lead by advancing to March and April, the traditional summer shutdown. All ready to believe that between the Hungarian Grand Prix (August 2) and that of Belgium (August 30), the single-seaters will continue to run on the circuits and that the “back to back” - two races disputed of a week- end on the other - will multiply, with the logistical problems that this generates. But listening to Mattia Binotto, the boss of Ferrari, the teams are ready to take up the challenge by adjusting the program.
Two-day weekends?
“We could have two-day weekends, with free practice moved to Saturday morning, in order to be able to meet logistical needs in the event of proximity to the Grands Prix. In addition, the current closure of factories leaves the possibility of being able to drive in August if conditions allow, "explains the boss of the Scuderia to Sky Italia . In constant contact with Liberty Media, the owner of the F1 rights, and the FIA, the stable managers rely on the authorities to find the best solutions. "We gave (Chase) Carey (CEO of F1) and the FIA the freedom to set the schedule as they wish under these conditions," says Binotto.
In an effort to limit breakage in the face of the financial danger which threatens discipline, Carey wants to do everything to maintain between "15 and 18 races". Even if it means running in December - the season usually ends the last weekend in November - or even spilling over into 2021. “If that allows a more complete 2020 World Championship, with the next season not starting before March, there is great availability for that, ”says Binotto. The new regulations postponed to 2022, the few modifications planned on single-seaters from one season to another would facilitate the transition.
Pessimistic eclestone
Bernie Ecclestone would not pull his hair out to draw these plans, which were still very hypothetical. “I think I would say that we are going to put an end to the discussions on the possibility of organizing races this year. This is the only thing you could do safely, "said the former big money dealer in the discipline, who left his hand in 2017, to Reuters . Pessimist -" I would be very, very, very surprised if they got to maintain 15 to 18 grand prizes. I hope they will get there ”-, the Briton also pleads for an extension of the season next year. "They could organize three or four races at the start of next year which would still count for the 2020 championship. The problem is where will they be organized, where can the teams go and where does the promoter want organize a race? " "Mister E" is not the only one asking all the questions.
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