Opinion
A return to racing is imminent, as Formula One announced the opening eight races of their revised 2020 championship, commencing with back-to-back events in Austria from July 3.
Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the Formula One world championship was halted before it began back in March at the Australian Grand Prix, though after numerous races being cancelled, the sport’s governing commercial body along with the FIA outlined a return to race plan, consisting of a 15-18 race season.
The opening eight races will, as proposed back in April, be contested only in Europe with strict travel restrictions still in place worldwide. Fans will not be allowed as yet, with all events happening behind closed doors.
A pair of races at the Red Bull Ring will start the 2020 season after confirmation that the Austrian government would allow the events to go ahead, before heading to Budapest on July 17-19 for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Rounds 4 and 5 will be hosted by the legendary Silverstone circuit, as the British Grand Prix gets to celebrate Formula One’s 70th anniversary, being one of three foundation circuits that still are raced on by the championship.
There were of course hurdles with Great Britain and their mandatory laws for 14 days of quarantine upon entry into the country, given the tight turnarounds between events. Though with Hungary being brought ahead of the British Grand Prix, there is now a fortnight between the events.
Spain, Belgium and Italy will host the remaining races of the European leg of the championship, with the Italian Grand Prix falling into its traditional place during the first weekend of September.
Formula One also confirmed that it will have all eight races supported by their feeder F2 and F3 categories. Plans beyond will come “in the coming weeks” as announced by CEO Chase Carey in a statement.
Minimal personnel will undergo isolated travel between races, with frequent testing for coronavirus undertaken across race weekend. Social distancing will be enforced also for the limited numbers on site, with even the post-race ceremonies to be altered accordingly.
There has been no confirmation yet however about any changes to the race weekend format, despite speculation over the introduction of reverse-grid qualifying sprints during the back-to-back events in Austria and Great Britain.
A reverse-grid sprint race on the Saturday, based off a back-to-front championship order, would determine the starting grid for the grand prix on Sunday. Mercedes are reportedly opposed to the change, with a unanimous decision required to pass it off.
Interestingly also, eight races are what contractually Formula One requires to complete a world championship. In the event the sport is unable to travel beyond Europe after September, the championship would be decided by the results in Monza.
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