Paris (AFP)
The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada, which was scheduled to take place from June 12 to 14 in Montreal, is in turn postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced on Tuesday.
"Over the past month, we have been in constant communication with members of Formula 1 as well as representatives from the city of Montreal, Tourisme Montreal and (...) from the provincial and federal governments and we have heard the directives issued by public health officials, "said the local promoter of the race in a statement. "As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are complying with the recommendations of the experts in authority."
"We will be ready to welcome you with open arms to the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit as soon as the situation allows," added François Dumontier, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Prix of Canada.
"Even if we have to wait a little bit before our arrival, we will present a grand spectacle later this year," promises Chase Carey, CEO of Formula 1.
These are now the first nine races of the 2020 season that have been canceled (Australia, Monaco) or postponed indefinitely (Bahrain, China, Vietnam, Netherlands, Spain, Azerbaijan, Canada).
We should count this year from 15 to 18 GP instead of the record number of 22 originally planned, said Chase Carey in late March.
In order to reshape the calendar - and to limit the costs for the teams in confinement in Europe - the truce usually respected in August has been brought forward to March, April and / or May.
In principle, the last GP must take place at the end of November in Abu Dhabi but the F1 boss has already said that he expects "that the season will extend beyond its closing initially scheduled for the weekend November 27-29 ".
The next race on the calendar is the French Grand Prix on June 28 on the Paul-Ricard circuit, in Le Castellet (Var).
© 2020 AFP