TermiOnTrack #F1 News – Round up of the latest. #Formula1

TermiOnTrack is back with the latest news from the world of F1 during these tough times. Let’s dive into the latest from the world of Formula 1 beginning with 2020 calendar news.

TermiOnTrack F1 News – Carey releases statement on 2020 calendar

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey released an update to fans around the world on the latest developments regarding the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar:

Although this morning it was announced that the French Grand Prix, due to take place in late June, will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer.

 

We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend. September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15-18 races.

 

We will publish our finalised calendar as soon as we possibly can.

 

We expect the early races to be without fans but hope fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule. We still have to work out many issues like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country.

 

The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one and we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues.

 

The FIA, teams, promoters, and other key partners have been working with us throughout these steps and we want to thank them for all their support and efforts during this incredibly challenging time. We also want to recognise the fact that the teams have been supporting us at the same time that they have been focusing enormous and heroic efforts to build ventilators to help those infected by COVID-19.

 

While we have been moving forward with our 2020 plans, we have also been working hard with the FIA and the teams to strengthen the long term future of Formula 1 through an array of new technical, sporting, and financial regulations that will improve the competition and action on the track and make it a healthier business for all involved, particularly as we engage the issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

All of our plans are obviously subject to change as we still have many issues to address and all of us are subject to the unknowns of the virus. We all want the world to return to the one we know and cherish, yet we recognise it must be done in the right and safest way. We look forward to doing our part by enabling our fans to once again safely share the excitement of Formula 1 with family, friends, and the broader community.

Our best wishes to all of you.

Chase – Credit to Formula 1 for the statement.

Silverstone Circuit confirms if British GP goes ahead it’ll be under closed doors

Silverstone Circuit chief Stuart Pringle has confirmed if the Formula 1 Rolex British Grand Prix 2020 goes ahead it would be under closed doors due to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Formula 1 officials are working on a revised calendar for the 2020 season, after the pandemic forced a series of race cancellations and postponements. Earlier it was announced that the Formula 1 Grand Prix De France 2020 will not go ahead.

Several countries have restrictions on people’s movements and governments made it difficult to host events like international sport, meaning the focus of discussion is on holding closed door events in it’s bid to get calendars running.

Silverstone Circuit is in ongoing talks with the British Government and Formula 1 chiefs on the viability of hosting the Grand Prix, which was set for July, at some stage during the revised schedule but with no fans in attendance.

“I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year’s British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone,” explained Silverstone Chief Stuart Pringle. “We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible.”

 

“Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event, our volunteer marshals and Race Makers, and of course, you, the amazing fans, means that this is the best, safest and only decision we could make.”

 

“We have consistently said that should we find ourselves in this position we will support Formula 1 as they seek to find alternative ways to enable F1 racing to take place this year.

 

“Following this weekend’s news from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport we are now working with them on the viability of an event behind closed doors. Should this be possible, it will be of some small comfort for you to know that the 2020 Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix will be available to watch live on Sky and Channel 4 (in the UK).” Pringle concluded.

British Grand Prix ticket-holders can either transfer their tickets for the 2021 event or take a full refund. Silverstone Circuit added they will also be giving away thousands of tickets for next year’s race for NHS and other key workers after their great efforts on the front line fighting COVID-19.

TermiOnTrack F1 News – Formula 1 Grand Prix De France 2020 called off

French Grand Prix organisers have confirmed the 2020 event will not go ahead due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world.

The race was scheduled to take place at the Circuit Paul Ricard at the end of June, but race officials announced on Monday morning that due to the decision from the French government to ban all events until the middle of July, along with travel restrictions in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19, meant it would be difficult for the Grand Prix to go ahead.

The French Grand Prix has became the tenth race of the season to have either been cancelled or postponed because of the ongoing pandemic.

“Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the Grand Prix of France takes note of the decisions announced by the State making impossible to maintain our event,” explained Director General of the GIP Grand Prix De France Eric Boullier. “The eyes of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet are already turning to the summer of 2021 in order to offer our spectators an even more unique event in the heart of the South Region. ” Boullier concluded. Credit to GP France for the quote.

If you have purchased a ticket for the event, visit https://www.gpfrance.com/ for more information on refunds.

TermiOnTrack F1 News – Ferrari clarifies Binotto alleged quit comments, WEC or IndyCar on the horizon?

Ferrari have clarified comments from a recent interview regarding Team Principal Mattia Binotto about the Maranello marque thinking about leaving Formula 1 but a statement like that has never been said.

The clarification from the Scuderia came just days after the recent Binotto interview with The Guardian about the team considering leaving the sport if extreme measures take place with the budget cap.

Currently, there is plenty of discussion going on with the sport’s governing body, the FIA, Formula 1 and the teams with further cost cutting action to help the financial situation due to the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on the world.

According to the statement in the Guardian from Binotto, it read:

“The $145m level is already a new and demanding request compared to what was set out last June,” Binotto told the Guardian. “It cannot be attained without further significant sacrifices, especially in terms of our human resources. If it was to get even lower, we would not want to be put in a position of having to look at other further options for deploying our racing DNA.”  Credit to The Guardian for the quote.

But, Ferrari’s response to the claim and the title of the article was:

‘We want to make it clear that Mattia never said in his interview with The Guardian that Ferrari will leave Formula 1 at a lower budget cap. Indeed, Mattia has just indicated that Ferrari does not want to look for other options to race outside F1.”

 

“The misunderstanding soon became clear after the misleading headline above the article, but has also been adapted directly”. Credit to Ferrari for the statement.

Also on Ferrari’s clarification on how it would react to an aggressive cost cap, The Race reported that the Scuderia could look towards competing in other top-line categories such as the FIA World Endurance Championship or the NTT Data IndyCar Series.

You can read more from The Race article here.

TermiOnTrack F1 News – World Motor Sport Council approve further extension to Formula 1 shutdown

The World Motor Sport Council have approved the extension of a longer shutdown period from 35 to 63 days for competing Formula 1 teams and Power-Train manufacturers in the FIA Formula One World Championship due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The FIA’s statement read:

All competitors must now observe a shutdown period increased from 35 to 63 consecutive days during the months of March, April, May and/or June. 50 days after the start of their shutdown period, upon application by a competitor, and subject to the prior written approval of the FIA, each competitor may use the services of a maximum of ten personnel to work remotely on long lead time projects.

 

The shutdown period for Power Unit manufacturers has been extended from 35 to 49 consecutive days during the months of March, April, May and/or June. 36 days after the start of their shutdown period, upon application by a Power Unit manufacturer, and subject to the prior written approval of the FIA, each Power Unit manufacturer may use the services of a maximum of ten personnel to work remotely on long lead time projects. Credit to FIA for the statement.

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