“Desperate and Misguided”- Ex-Pirelli Head Bashes F1 for Unveiling a Revised Calendar

Former Pirelli head Paul Hembery criticized F1 management for not canceling the 2020 season altogether. The Ex-Pirelli boss had harsh words for the sport’s bosses for not prioritizing the actual need of the hour. Hembery also termed F1’s latest calendar announcement as “misguided” and “desperate”.

Ex Pirelli boss tears into F1

Following the cancellation of the French Grand Prix and the announcement of a “ghost race” for the British GP, Formula 1 announced a plan of action to salvage the 2020 calendar. After multiple delays and cancellations due to COVID-19, F1 unveiled an ambitious recovery schedule to still hold a meaningful championship. As part of the schedule, Formula 1 is likely to resume racing by July with the Austrian Grand Prix.

If conditions don’t worsen, Formula 1 plans to hold the opening rounds without spectators in Europe. Following this, the sport moves on to Asia, the Americas, and finally concludes the season with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, the tentative schedule is contingent on host countries allowing F1 to race in the first place. IF the F1 season does get underway in July, the sport could meet its ambitious target of 15-18 races.

Hembery, on the other hand, feels Formula 1 should call off the season this year.

“F1 looks at best desperate and misguided, maybe at worse misleading”

“Or was this for the shareholders and the stock market?”

“When the world is in lockdown, and no-one is able to understand or predict the next months, F1 announces it will try and start the season in July. Whilst the financial challenges are enormous for the sport, and the viability of teams, promoters, and the rights holder itself a big question”

“Today was not the time to announce anything but the cancellation of the F1 season.”

“They escaped Australia by a fine margin”

“It is clear from almost all governments that the exit policy will be based around the introduction of a suitable vaccine. We are a long way from the general availability of that. Maybe F1 knows that there is almost no hope of this calendar actually happening, maybe” reads his social media post.

While harsh, the ex-Pirelli chief’s comments aren’t totally irrational.