Formula 1 2020 Motor Sport

[Geezer]

First 8 races and dates have been confirmed

Formula 1 today confirmed the 2020 season will begin in Austria next month – and revealed details on the first eight races of a new calendar.

After racing was put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak, F1, the teams and the FIA have been working to put together a plan to allow the season to begin safely, and today F1 chief executive Chase Carey outlined the first part of a revised calendar of races.

The season will kick off with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on July 5, followed a week later by a second race at the same track.

The Hungarian Grand Prix will follow a week after that, before a break. Then there will be two back to back races at Silverstone, followed by the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona.

The Belgian Grand Prix will follow that, with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza a week later on September 6.

All the races will be supported by Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Race	Venue	Date
Formula 1 Rolex Grosser Preis von Osterreich	The Red Bull Ring, Austria	July 3-5
Formula 1 Pirelli Grosser Preis der Steiermark	The Red Bull Ring, Austria	July 10-12
Formula 1 Aramco Magyar Nagydij	The Hungaroring, Hungary	July 17-19
Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix	Silverstone, UK	July 31 - August 2
Emirates Formula 1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix	Silverstone, UK	August 7-9
Formula 1 Aramco Gran Premio de Espana	Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain	August 14-16
Formula 1 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix	Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium	August 28-30
Formula 1 Gran Premio Heineken d'Italia	Monza, Italy	September 4-6

Due to the ongoing fluidity of the COVID-19 situation internationally, F1 will be finalising the details of the wider calendar and hope to publish that in the coming weeks with an expectation of having a total of 15-18 races before completing the season in December.

F1 currently expect the opening races to be closed events but hope fans will be able to attend again when it is safe to do so.

 

[David76]

I'm loving that they have managed to get something sorted, but I have two worries. Will whoever ends up champion be considered a proper champion if there are only 8 races? I know early F1 seasons had about that but times have changed. Secondly engine parts. My mate told me he heard if they got 6 or fewer races they would only be allowed 1 of each, with it being 8 they'll get 2, which is fine, but it'll be a nightmare to manage them not knowing how many races it actually has to last.

 

[Steve]

Will be good to have F1 back.

I'm loving that they have managed to get something sorted, but I have two worries. Will whoever ends up champion be considered a proper champion if there are only 8 races? I know early F1 seasons had about that but times have changed. Secondly engine parts. My mate told me he heard if they got 6 or fewer races they would only be allowed 1 of each, with it being 8 they'll get 2, which is fine, but it'll be a nightmare to manage them not knowing how many races it actually has to last.

I thought these 8 were the confirmed first half of the season for Europe, followed by an as yet to be confirmed set of Asian flyaway races? I think the idea is to have another 8 to make it 16 in total - likely a Japan double header etc.

 

[Tom]

There will be those that say a shorter season and all that. But a few youtube commentators I listen to, seem to suggest a shorter season favours the underdog. No doubt it will be interesting. Just want to get back to racing now.

 

[Dylan]

There will be those that say a shorter season and all that.

Talking 15-18 races, seems like the Japanese is one of the less likely though.

F1 remains confident of achieving its goal of a 15-to-18 race season concluding in December, but CEO and chairman Chase Carey said there would be no rush to finalise the remainder of the calendar.

"We're not going to give a deadline right now," Carey said in an interview with the official F1 website. "With the fluidity of the situation, a deadline would create pressures which may not be right and realistic for the situation so we're thinking of goals.

"Our goal would be before the end of June to if not complete the rest of the calendar, is to have a handle on it.

"We know what we would like to try and do. We have other options if some things don't come together. We do expect there are races which are on the calendar which will probably still not occur. I think we certainly have options."

A decision to cancel the Japanese MotoGP round at Motegi has led to doubts about the F1 race at Suzuka going ahead given the shared promoter, while teams have reportedly been told events in Singapore and Canada will not go ahead.

F1 news: No deadline to finalise remainder of 2020 calendar

www.motorsport.com

 

[Birdman]

Are many anticipating a closer title race this time around?

The double Austria will surely help Verstappen and RB with the last 2 wins going their way

 

[Tom]

Are many anticipating a closer title race this time around?

The double Austria will surely help Verstappen and RB with the last 2 wins going their way

You would fancy Red Bull to have a small advantage in Austria based on previous results. Verstappen could have a healthy lead after those two races.

 

[Franco Pinion]

It's going to be interesting to see if Mercedes are still as quick as they were when obviously sandbagging in testing and still being half a second clear. If they are then even an unfavourable circuit like Austria shouldn't be too detrimental to them.

If the gap isn't as wide as it appeared, it's possible that Max arrives at Silverstone with 3 wins under his belt.

 

[Bandit]

Hope some of the fly away races are in the rain. Wish they would rearrange the full season so it starts and then ends in Europe so we got more wet races or at least the need to use inter tyres.

 

[Deleted member 26]

Glad we're getting a season of sorts.. It's a shame they couldn't have more of it on free-to-air TV though, I cancelled my Sky F1 subscription.

Can't see too many surprises in terms of the championships though. Hamilton and Mercedes have got to be favourite, with an outside chance for Verstappen and Red Bull. You shouldn't really discount Ferrari, but their stategy calls of late have been questionable at best.