Formula One Grand Prix weekends that were originally announced as postponed, are now being cancelled.
The 2020 F1 season never got out of the paddock. The initial race of the year was postponed once the COVID-19 virus struck the McLaren racing team. And as a result, the Australian Grand Prix was put on hiatus the following day. Now postponements are becoming cancellations. Largely due to the COVID-19 situation not slowing down, and an uncertain future.
The latest casualties include the world famous Monaco Grand Prix. Also axed are the Grand Prix events in Bahrain, Vietnam, China, Holland and Spain. This was supposed to mark the debut of the Vietnamese circuit, on a brand new course.
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There is still hope that a shortened season can be run. Of course, that sort of decision can’t be made until positive results begin to happen. As of right now, those results are not there. The spread of the deadly Coronavirus continues to threaten lifestyles the world over.
The 2020 season was supposed to see twenty-two races. An increase on the usual twenty-one. This would have been the longest season in Formula One’s history. If no further races are to be cancelled, a possibility of a fifteen race season remains. Hopefully we get back to racing in the near future.
Official statement form the FIA
“The current situation concerning the worldwide pandemic and its unknown path of evolution. The lack of understanding as to the impact on the F1 World Championship. Uncertainty with regards to the participation of the teams. The consequences with regards to the differing measures of confinement as taken by various governments worldwide. Multi-border restrictions for accessing the Principality of Monaco. The pressure on all implicated businesses, their dedicated staff who are unable to undertake the necessary installations. Availability of the indispensable workforce and volunteers, more than 1500, required for the success of the event means that the situation is no longer tenable.”
Rule changes also postponed
The FIA also announced that the new rule changes set for next season, are postponed. Primarily to ease the financial burden on teams, the drastic changes to the sport will now occur in 2022. The decision was taken during a conference call among all ten teams. And the decision makes perfect sense.
“Due to the currently volatile financial situation this has created, it has been agreed that teams will use their 2020 chassis for 2021, with the potential freezing of further components to be discussed in due course. The introduction and implementation of the financial regulations will go ahead as planned in 2021, and discussions remain ongoing between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams regarding further ways to make significant cost savings.”
These new regulations are thought to be bringing a more even playing field to the championship. Allowing the smaller teams a better chance to compete. Currently, the teams with the higher budgets, like Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have an advantage. Smaller teams like Williams, Haas and Sauber don’t have the same funds to spend of the development of their cars.
Changes that bring about possibilities of other teams winning should be more than welcomed. These rules could bring Formula One closer to its golden era, where any given car could win on any given Sunday.
