FÓRMULA-1

F1 considering racing GPs on circuits that were not on the calendar

Chase Carey, responsible for activities related to Formula 1 in the American group Liberty Media, declared on Thursday (7) that it is possible to organize motorsport premier class races on circuits that were not originally registered in the 2020 season calendar.
The F1 season, which would start in March in Australia, needed to be suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We have two main challenges: identifying the places where we can organize races and determining how we can transport the necessary staff and equipment there," explained Carey in a conference call, after presenting the financial results of Liberty Media, owner of F1 rights. in the first quarter of the year.
"We are talking to all the promoters, as well as some circuits that are not currently on the schedule scheduled for 2020, with the aim of ensuring that we have examined all the options," he added, without giving further details.
According to unconfirmed information, the circuits in Portimão (Portugal) and Imola (Italy) could host this year's Formula 1 race.
"Our goal is to start the season on the weekend of the 4th and 5th of July in Austria," at the Red Bull Ring circuit, Carey said.
The executive also recalled that another race could be organized the following weekend (11-12 July) on the same circuit.

"We then look forward to racing in Asia and the American continent in September, October and November, before finishing in the Gulf, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in December. We hope to be able to organize a calendar with 15 to 18 races," he detailed.

- Virtual races -
"We believe that the races in the first part of the calendar will take place without spectators on site, but we hope to be able to host them later in the year," continued Carey.
"We work with the International Automobile Federation (FIA), local authorities and other experts to determine the measures and procedures necessary to transport all racing employees safely and allow them to work and stay safely," he concluded. Carey insisted that no scenario was ignored and cited the possibility, albeit "remote", of not having any F1 Grand Prix this season.
Liberty Media on Thursday announced a 84% decline in its revenue from F1-related activities in the first quarter of 2020 due to the lack of Grand Prizes.
In recent weeks, given the impossibility of competing in real races, virtual E-Sports events have been organized with the participation of some F1 drivers.
According to Chase Carey, the first three virtual races had a total audience of 16.3 million viewers.
"We will continue to promote virtual races until we can start racing on circuits again," he concluded. AFP