Formula 1 is edging closer to starting their 2020 season with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, it has emerged.
On Thursday, F1 bosses, teams and FIA president Jean Todt met via video link to discuss a range of topics, including what was described as a calendar that will “significantly differ” from the original in a statement issued later.
Officially, at this point, it is actually the French GP at Paul Ricard which is the current season opener, scheduled to take place on June 28.
However, after President Emmanuel Macron announced mass gatherings would be banned until mid-July, a postponement of that race is expected in the coming days.
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As a result, Austria, which has begun easing restrictions having reached the peak of their coronavirus outbreak, has emerged as the obvious choice to finally get the racing underway.
The only caveat is the usually packed grandstands at the Red Bull Ring would remain empty as the event takes place behind closed doors, however, on Thursday, F1 team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports going ahead with the race in that form as “absolutely feasible”.
Following on from Spielberg is the British GP at Silverstone on July 19. Currently, a final decision is yet to be made on that event, though is expected by the end of the month.
Recent signs haven’t been positive either after the government extended a lockdown for three more weeks at least on Thursday, while a ban on motorsport events is in place until the end of June.
When the country is ready, however, a double-header of races on one weekend is being suggested, while another Grand Prix, likely using an alternative layout, may also take place on a different date.
It’s also likely, though not confirmed, that Silverstone would also see empty grandstands, with the UK seeing one of the bigger outbreaks of Covid-19 globally.
But asked about that prospect, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel admits having “ghost” races wouldn’t be ideal.
“It’s a very, very difficult one,” he was quoted by GPFans. “It’s a tough decision. On the one hand, you have the health of the sport, if you look at it from a business aspect.
“On the other hand, you have the responsibility for the working people inside the paddock, and of course, most importantly, the fans.
“It’s a sport that is carried out in the open, but we have a lot of people that come to watch our races. We need to make sure that as much as we are taking care of ourselves, we are taking care of the public.
“There are a lot of options you can think of, in terms of how to get going again, what’s the best format to start racing again, whether it’s without fans, with fans, ghost races.
“Nobody likes to race in front of empty grandstands. I think it feels a bit odd. The question is, when is the right time to start racing again and whether a ghost race could be held a lot sooner rather than a race the way we are used to it. I don’t know.”
