Motor racing: French GP called off, Austria now first in line while no fans allowed at Silverstone
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A photo of Formula One Grand Prix de France at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France, on June 23, 2019.
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON (REUTERS) - The French Formula One Grand Prix scheduled for June 28 at Le Castellet has been cancelled owing to the coronavirus pandemic, while spectators will not be allowed at the British Grand Prix in July, the organisers said on Monday (April 27).
The Formula One season has yet to start and the French race at the southern circuit is the 10th to be hit by the coronavirus.
"Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French state making it impossible to maintain our event," said French GP managing director Eric Boullier.
Formula One chairman Chase Carey said it was disappointing but "we fully support the decision taken by the French authorities in France and look forward to being back at Paul Ricard soon".
France has banned major events until the middle of July and also imposed travel restrictions.
May's showcase race in Monaco has already been cancelled, with the March 15 Australian opener in Melbourne called off just before practice started and eight other races awaiting rescheduling with Formula One hoping to put on a reduced calendar of 15 to 18 races.
The season is now expected to start in Austria on July 5 at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring, in what could be a double-header without spectators.
"We are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer," said Carey in a statement. "We're targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and (the) beginning of September.
"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."
"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."
He said Formula One had been working closely with teams and promoters and a definitive calendar would be published as soon as possible.
The British Grand Prix, a home race for most of the 10 teams as well as Mercedes' six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, remains on the calendar for July 19 but behind closed doors.
"I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year's British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone," said the circuit's managing director, Stuart Pringle, in a message to fans.
"We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible.
"Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event... means that this is the best, safest and only decision we could make," he added.
Other races still hoping to be rescheduled are Vietnam, China, Azerbaijan, Spain, the Netherlands and Canada.
Behind closed doors
"We expect the early races to be without fans but hope fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule," said Carey.
"We still have to work out many issues like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country."
"We still have to work out many issues like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country."
The American, who represents US-based commercial rights holders Liberty Media, said health and safety would remain the top priority.
"We will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues," he said.
Formula One teams are on a factory shutdown, with the August break cancelled to allow a rescheduling of races, with five of the seven British-based ones furloughing staff in response to the crisis.
The resumption of racing will come as a huge relief to the teams, particularly privately-owned ones who rely on a share of the sport's revenues from television and sponsorship to stay in business.
There has been talk of Austria and Britain each hosting two races to make up the numbers but Carey did not address that possibility.
"We will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues," he said.
Formula One teams are on a factory shutdown, with the August break cancelled to allow a rescheduling of races, with five of the seven British-based ones furloughing staff in response to the crisis.
The resumption of racing will come as a huge relief to the teams, particularly privately-owned ones who rely on a share of the sport's revenues from television and sponsorship to stay in business.
There has been talk of Austria and Britain each hosting two races to make up the numbers but Carey did not address that possibility.
