Formula 1 is preparing to reveal what they call a “significantly” difficult 2020 calendar soon.
So far, the first nine races of the original schedule have been cancelled or postponed, with the French, British and Belgian Grand Prix’s expected to follow suit.
However, F1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn recently suggested the sport was targeting a 19-race season starting from July and in a statement published on Formula1.com, that ambition appears to remain intact.
“Our intention is to start the 2020 season at some point this summer,” it read.
“At this time no-one can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve, but when it does, we will be ready to go racing again. We are all committed to bringing our fans a 2020 championship season.
“Formula 1 is currently working with our promoters on a revised 2020 calendar with the actual sequence and schedule dates for races likely to differ significantly from our original 2020 calendar. This will be published in due course.”
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It has been suggested F1 could make up for lost events by holding triple-headers with shorter weekend formats as well as hold multiple races at one circuit.
“I think there is going to be a staged route back into full-on Grands Prix and there are certain circuits they’re talking about, crowdless events, potentially just focusing on TV with limited numbers of people, limited operative staff there as a way to get the championship going,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
“There’s still a confidence that we can get 18 races in between the start of July and the end of the year and that will be a flat-out championship.
“It’s going to be tough, but I think when we do get going it’s going to come thick and fast and it will be a mighty challenge.”
Of course, with races moving from their original dates, F1 is preparing for the prospect of fans needing refunds for tickets already sold.
“If you bought tickets for races that have been postponed or cancelled through F1Tickets.com, F1 Paddock Club and F1 Experiences, we are currently working with each race promoter on the transfer and refund options available to you. We are working at speed to finalise those options and will be in contact with you,” the statement continued.
“Ticket holders who did not purchase through those routes should get the latest information on transfers or refunds through their point of purchase, either the relevant ticket reseller or the promoter’s official website as transfer or refund processes may differ for each race.
“For races not postponed ticket holders’ tickets remain valid.”