“I’d Like to Try That”: Daniel Ricciardo Has a Unique Solution to F1’s Biggest Problem at the Moment

Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo has an interesting solution to F1’s Calendar crisis. Due to The Coronavirus epidemic, Formula 1 has canceled 9 races this year. The 2020 season is yet to get underway and has no concrete start date as of yet.

Daniel Ricciardo proposes a tweaked weekend format

With the Canadian Grand Prix postponed, the season’s tentative start date is at the end of June. As things stand, The French Grand Prix will kickstart the 2020 F1 season. However, many experts believe the race in France is also likely to be called off. Moreover, another delay would push the season opener to July.

F1 managing director Ross Brawn revealed that the sport plans to hold races under closed doors. Furthermore, Brawn disclosed that the sport is likely to hold the first few races in Europe. As a result, it is possible F1 starts racing in July with the Austrian Grand Prix sans spectators.

Another issue is how the sport intends to hold 19 rounds and a proper Championship this year. The epidemic has affected several countries to different degrees which creates a headache logistically. Daniel Ricciardo believes the sport should hold races in phases across continents to get some form of racing in 2020.

Speaking to Canal+, Ricciardo said:
“I’d like to try that format. It would have to be a logistically logical schedule, with one part in Europe, then another in Asia and another in America.

“When the season starts, I hope that we will be able to run as many races as possible. We have the GPDA, which is the association of Grand Prix drivers. It is the best communication channel”

“The promoters can contact us through it and vice versa. All together we can propose ideas and find solutions. We would like to be consulted.

Ricciardo also feels F1 can resort to shortened weekends to squeeze in multiple races over a month.

“I think the race weekends should be shortened if we have to race a Grand Prix every week. We should have two-day weekends, not three-day weekends.

2 day weekends are an ideal solution, at least for the European leg. For now, the hopes of the 2020 calendar rest on the viability of the Austrian Grand Prix.