F1 CEO Carey Announces Modified F1 Schedule and Potential Start Date for 2020

With F1 rapidly losing races from the 2020 calendar, CEO Chase Carey issued an update on a possible start date. Carey also announced a tentative schedule on how the sport would conduct races and fit in postponed events in the coming months. As things stand, F1 is down 10 races not having completed a single Grand Prix this year.

Carey announces modified F1 schedule

F1 plans to hold at least 15-18 races this year. An optimistic target considering the sport has a gigantic scheduling headache in trying to fit in very many races in a short span of time. As per Carey’s latest announcement, the sport is likely, to begin with, the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5. Many expected the season to begin in Spielberg so it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Carey added that the first few rounds would be held under closed doors, keeping health and safety in mind. Carey hinted at the season beginning in Europe, moving to Asia and then the Americas. F1 is aiming to hold the postponed Bahrain Grand Prix before finishing the season in Abu Dhabi. However, this tentative schedule holds good only if the circumstances allow the sport to hold races in the first place.

“We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August, and the beginning of September,” “with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend.

“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 15-18 races”

“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.” 

“The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one”

“And we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures”

 “All of our plans are obviously subject to change as we still have many issues to address and all of us are subject to the unknowns of the virus” reads Carey’s official statement on F1’s website.

Carey also stressed on the bureaucracy involved in obtaining permission for different teams and their staff to enter various countries. As fans, we can only hope the season begins as a relief from a shutdown that seems never-ending.