Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) during the GP of Monza, September 8, 2019. - Insidefoto / Sipa USA / SIPA

The Grand Prix of Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan in turn canceled on Friday as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This does not prevent Formula 1 from "always believing in [his] project to have between 15 and 18 races by the end of the season".

"These decisions were made because of the different challenges our promoters face in these countries," said F1 promoter Formula One in a statement. In Singapore and Azerbaijan, the delays required to build urban circuits make it impossible to organize these events in times of uncertainty and in Japan, the current travel restrictions have also led to the decision not to maintain the race . "

Back in the paddocks on July 5

Originally scheduled for June 7, the round in the streets of Baku had already been postponed indefinitely. That of Singapore was scheduled on September 20 and that of Suzuka on October 11. Despite these announcements, which were predictable, Formula One claims to "still believe in (its) plan to have between 15 and 18 races by the end of the season in Abu Dhabi in mid-December and hope to publish the finalized calendar before the start of the season in Austria. "

The F1, which should have faced off for the first time in mid-March in Australia, will restart on July 5 on the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, the first of a series of eight races in Europe between July and September, behind closed doors, with reduced staff in the paddock and following a strict health protocol.

Ferrari gives a wheel to Carlos Sainz, Ricciardo goes to McLaren via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/BxcrGfoGPd

- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) May 14, 2020

A second GP is planned in Spielberg on July 12, before Hungary (on the Hungaroring of Budapest) on July 19, Great Britain (at Silverstone) on August 2 and 9, Spain (on the Barcelona-Catalonia circuit in Montmelo) on August 16, Belgium (in Spa-Francorchamps) on August 30 and Italy (in Monza) on September 6.

"New sites"

The rest should in principle bring teams and drivers to Asia and the Americas, before ending in the Middle East. While the GPs of Australia, Monaco, France and the Netherlands have also been previously canceled, "we have made significant progress on the revised schedule with the current (Grand Prix) and new promoters and we We were particularly encouraged by the interest shown by new sites to host a race during the 2020 season, "said F1 on Friday.

In an interview with the official site of the queen category of motor sport published the day before, its sporting director Ross Brawn explained that it would be "possible to extend the European season by one or two other races if necessary" to maintain a number of heats satisfactory.

The F1 calendar beyond the first eight races is still taking shape - and circuits not originally on the 2020 calendar could end up hosting races # F1 pic.twitter.com/OrV6WXbJFZ

- Formula 1 (@ F1) June 12, 2020

In addition to the destinations initially listed on the 2020 calendar (Vietnam, China, Russia, Canada, United States, Mexico, Brazil, etc.), Mugello and Imola in Italy, Portimao in Portugal and Hockenheim in Germany are candidates to host events.

Scheduled just before Abu Dhabi at the end of the championship, Bahrain could also host two races following different routes on the Sakhir circuit, its configuration making it possible, said Brawn.

"We are aware that we are still in a period of uncertainty and complexity around the world and we will continue to ensure that the 2020 season takes place in a careful and flexible way," Formula One finally promises on Friday.

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Coronavirus: The Formula 1 Grand Prix of France is canceled

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