Or it could be the thing me and everyone else says it is..
F1 2020 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
Quite right.
He is not close.
He is way ahead.
And his record will soon prove that he is more successful than even Shumy.
Formula 1 has postponed the Bahrain and Vietnam GPs due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the start to the 2020 season delayed.
The races were set to be the second and third rounds of 2020, on March 22 and April 5 respectively, but after the season-opening Australian GP was cancelled due to a McLaren team member contracting the virus, F1 has called off its next big events.
With four races now either cancelled or postponed, F1 says it expects the season to start in Europe at the end of May but the situation will be "regularly reviewed".
The races were set to be the second and third rounds of 2020, on March 22 and April 5 respectively, but after the season-opening Australian GP was cancelled due to a McLaren team member contracting the virus, F1 has called off its next big events.
With four races now either cancelled or postponed, F1 says it expects the season to start in Europe at the end of May but the situation will be "regularly reviewed".
They're living in dreamland. That's right around the time Europe is expected to peak. Unfortunately I think we can wave goodbye to any F1 this season.
perhaps a one off winner takes all championship race in Abu Dhabi late in the summer?
I agree, maybe half a season after the summer break ?
That race and this has someone in common too.
Cool man, I get it.
Still maintain they're all moaners though. You just hear more because he's Lewis.
Awesome. Get him, Barrichello!
Ross Brawn and F1 are confident of successfully reshuffling their 2020 calendar after an enforced "hiatus" - suggesting that races could now be staged during August's summer break.
The scheduled start to the campaign has been scrapped due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the first four races - Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China - either cancelled or postponed.
The Dutch GP is now stated to be the first race of 2020 on May 3 - although there are major doubts about that event after F1 admitted they now see the season starting at the end of May
But Brawn, F1's managing director of motorsports, says he still believes the sport will stage an exciting 2020 campaign, with the affected races possibly moving to August - when F1 traditionally takes a four-week break to split up the season.
"Maybe we take a hiatus, we take a pause - and then we use that opportunity to say right, for this time at the beginning of the year we won't have any races, we'll look at relocating those races later in the year," Brawn told Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle in an exclusive interview.
"I think by freeing up the August break, we give ourselves several weekends where we can have a race. And I think we can build a pretty decent calendar for the rest of the year.
"It will look different, but it will still preserve a good number of races, and they're exciting races. So the season's going to start later, but I think it will be just as entertaining."
Brawn admitted that F1, like many other sports, are now in "unchartered territory", but added: "I'm pretty optimistic that we can have a good 17-18 race championship or more.
"I think we can squeeze them in. But it depends on when the season will start."
F1's statement when confirming the postponement of the events in Bahrain and Vietnam said that they "expect to begin the Championship in Europe at the end of May" - which would also mean the Spanish GP, set for May 10, could be set for a change of date.
"I think what we need from the teams this year is flexibility, I think they've got to give some scope to do these things. Because we are in very unusual circumstances, and we've got to make sure we've got a season that gives a good economic opportunity for the teams.
"For sure we're going to have a quiet start. I'm sure the teams will be flexible to allow us to fit those things in."
All this is all fine and dandy, but I have my doubts if the season will be able to start in May.
The scheduled start to the campaign has been scrapped due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the first four races - Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China - either cancelled or postponed.
The Dutch GP is now stated to be the first race of 2020 on May 3 - although there are major doubts about that event after F1 admitted they now see the season starting at the end of May
But Brawn, F1's managing director of motorsports, says he still believes the sport will stage an exciting 2020 campaign, with the affected races possibly moving to August - when F1 traditionally takes a four-week break to split up the season.
"Maybe we take a hiatus, we take a pause - and then we use that opportunity to say right, for this time at the beginning of the year we won't have any races, we'll look at relocating those races later in the year," Brawn told Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle in an exclusive interview.
"I think by freeing up the August break, we give ourselves several weekends where we can have a race. And I think we can build a pretty decent calendar for the rest of the year.
"It will look different, but it will still preserve a good number of races, and they're exciting races. So the season's going to start later, but I think it will be just as entertaining."
Brawn admitted that F1, like many other sports, are now in "unchartered territory", but added: "I'm pretty optimistic that we can have a good 17-18 race championship or more.
"I think we can squeeze them in. But it depends on when the season will start."
F1's statement when confirming the postponement of the events in Bahrain and Vietnam said that they "expect to begin the Championship in Europe at the end of May" - which would also mean the Spanish GP, set for May 10, could be set for a change of date.
"I think what we need from the teams this year is flexibility, I think they've got to give some scope to do these things. Because we are in very unusual circumstances, and we've got to make sure we've got a season that gives a good economic opportunity for the teams.
"For sure we're going to have a quiet start. I'm sure the teams will be flexible to allow us to fit those things in."
All this is all fine and dandy, but I have my doubts if the season will be able to start in May.
Without the fans and with reduced teams F1 could be one of the few sports that might do ok. Track side atmosphere is nice but not essential and the drivers have little chance of infecting each other. If live entertainment is in short supply they might even get viewing numbers like in the old days.
(Everything around the pits/track would need to change obviously but I think it's doable, unlike the footy, basketball etc.)
(Everything around the pits/track would need to change obviously but I think it's doable, unlike the footy, basketball etc.)
Yes F1 can be very watchable without fans and we're used to it already with some races that have very little fans and other races you don't really hear or see them much if they are there. Still it's hard for the drivers and teams I bet not to have even a small crowd watching.
It's a tricky situation as we could have a Chinese GP but we'd need the teams to perhaps be infected and recovered, wouldn't be good to have people progressively drop out and become ill over the course of the races.
All depends on immunity and spread in the coming months and whether each country is having their own outbreak at different times of the year. Some parts of the world wil be past the virus while others will be ramping up the cases so a lot of careful planning might be needed.
It's a tricky situation as we could have a Chinese GP but we'd need the teams to perhaps be infected and recovered, wouldn't be good to have people progressively drop out and become ill over the course of the races.
All depends on immunity and spread in the coming months and whether each country is having their own outbreak at different times of the year. Some parts of the world wil be past the virus while others will be ramping up the cases so a lot of careful planning might be needed.
Mass transit to get to the races and factory locations across the globe means that it's not. The teams have a duty of care for their employees, not trackside, but at factories and risking infection for the sake of putting on some entertainment doesn't make sense. Better to wait till it's under control globally before worrying about when the next race will be.
This is the correct answer.
F1 can survive on as little as 13 rounds for a championship. The season is already bloated as it is. The smaller teams will probably be far more appreciative of a smaller season.
Did anyone watch the Veloce race on the weekend? Pretty funny mini Australian race with a few F1 drivers like Lando against youtubers and e-racing drivers. Courtois even got involved and he was actually really good 
I've watched a little bit of sim racing and caught a glimpse of the qualifying for that race yesterday from this English youtuber called Jimmie Broadbent but didn't watch the race itself, might check it out later. He kept referring to Courtois as Tim Curtis because he couldn't pronounce his nameDid anyone watch the Veloce race on the weekend? Pretty funny mini Australian race with a few F1 drivers like Lando against youtubers and e-racing drivers. Courtois even got involved and he was actually really good
, he's also been in a race with Verstappen a while back which must be pretty cool box to tick for a sim racer.
More Postponements
The Dutch, Spanish and Monaco GPs have all been postponed as F1 continues to push its season start back amid the coronavirus pandemic.
F1's latest announcement means the 2020 campaign's first seven scheduled races have all either been cancelled or postponed.
They say they will start the season "as soon it's safe to do so after May".
The Dutch GP, due to make its F1 return this season after 35 years off the calendar, was set for May 3, before the Spanish GP on May 10 and the prestigious Monaco GP on May 24.
F1 are hopeful of fitting the races back onto the calendar once the season begins, with August a potential opportunity after the summer shutdown period was moved forward.
The first scheduled race on the 2020 calendar is now the Azerbaijan GP on June 7, before the Canadian GP the following week.
The European season is then due to start with races in France, Austria, Silverstone and Budapest.
F1's latest announcement means the 2020 campaign's first seven scheduled races have all either been cancelled or postponed.
They say they will start the season "as soon it's safe to do so after May".
The Dutch GP, due to make its F1 return this season after 35 years off the calendar, was set for May 3, before the Spanish GP on May 10 and the prestigious Monaco GP on May 24.
F1 are hopeful of fitting the races back onto the calendar once the season begins, with August a potential opportunity after the summer shutdown period was moved forward.
The first scheduled race on the 2020 calendar is now the Azerbaijan GP on June 7, before the Canadian GP the following week.
The European season is then due to start with races in France, Austria, Silverstone and Budapest.
F1's big rule changes for the 2021 season will be delayed until 2022 in the latest measure introduced in wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Teams will also continue to use their 2020 chassis next year.
But the introduction of F1's first budget cap will still come into force as planned from 2021.
The moves were decided in a wide-ranging conference call featuring F1 chiefs, the FIA and the 10 teams.
"Following unanimous agreement between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams, the implementation of the Technical Regulations due to take effect from the 2021 season will be postponed until 2022," read an FIA statement.
All parties further discussed the current situation of the 2020 championship and how the sport will react to the ongoing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 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.
Teams will also continue to use their 2020 chassis next year.
But the introduction of F1's first budget cap will still come into force as planned from 2021.
The moves were decided in a wide-ranging conference call featuring F1 chiefs, the FIA and the 10 teams.
"Following unanimous agreement between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams, the implementation of the Technical Regulations due to take effect from the 2021 season will be postponed until 2022," read an FIA statement.
All parties further discussed the current situation of the 2020 championship and how the sport will react to the ongoing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 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.
Formula 1 has brought its summer shutdown forward - and extended it - following a delayed start to the season amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The shutdown, when teams must cease all race and car-related activity, usually takes place in August but has now been moved to March and April, with the World Motor Sport Council approving the change on Wednesday.
It has also been extended from a fortnight to 21 continuous days across the two months, as the sport tries to adapt to the challenges presented by coronavirus while also allowing more flexibility for the calendar.
The switch to a three-week shutdown by the end of April frees up August for potential races - which F1 chief Ross Brawn told Sky F1 is a strong possibility.
"In light of the global impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus currently affecting the organisation of FIA Formula One World Championship events, the World Motor Sport Council has approved a change to the 2020 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, moving the summer shutdown period from July and August to March and April and extending it from 14 to 21 days," read an FIA statement.
"All competitors must therefore observe a shutdown period of 21 consecutive days during the months of March and/or April.
"The change was supported unanimously by both the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission."
The shutdown, when teams must cease all race and car-related activity, usually takes place in August but has now been moved to March and April, with the World Motor Sport Council approving the change on Wednesday.
It has also been extended from a fortnight to 21 continuous days across the two months, as the sport tries to adapt to the challenges presented by coronavirus while also allowing more flexibility for the calendar.
The switch to a three-week shutdown by the end of April frees up August for potential races - which F1 chief Ross Brawn told Sky F1 is a strong possibility.
"In light of the global impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus currently affecting the organisation of FIA Formula One World Championship events, the World Motor Sport Council has approved a change to the 2020 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, moving the summer shutdown period from July and August to March and April and extending it from 14 to 21 days," read an FIA statement.
"All competitors must therefore observe a shutdown period of 21 consecutive days during the months of March and/or April.
"The change was supported unanimously by both the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission."
Monaco is fully cancelled and not on the calendar this year, that’s going to be weird but logical.
I noticed that, I would think that is maybe the hardest race to move to another date.
NOt actually on of my fav races, love watching it, but there is better.
I am still in 2 minds has to whether we will see F1 races this season, they are say we are 12 weeks from the peak of COVID-19, how long before it is safe to have crowds watching races, nobody really know.
Azerbaijan GP on June 7 for me is a very optimistic restart date.
The way things are going I just can’t see it happening until post summer, it’s going to be a short season but I think best case they will race well into December too.
Mr. COVID-19 is such a massive ahole. Should drag him behind a F1 car by the time this is all over. One of those sports year with loads to look forward to and that dude just took a big dump on all of it.
Monaco cancelled, yaaaaayyy! No hate watching for me this year.
They only need to conclude 8 races to classify it as a Championship. They can get that done easily in 8 weeks.
Surely most teams will sack this season off and just develop for next year? Could be interesting and we might have a team that surprise people in 2021.
Regulations are fixed through to 2022, which then comes in the new regulations. So actually it'll pay some dividend to push for this season, especially with a short season, as there is a higher chance to grab some of the bigger prize money.
I wonder if there'd be any feasibility, given that 2021 is going to be using the same cars anyway, and that the virus could still very easily be causing problems next year without a vaccine, of carrying over the 2020 season into some of the early 2021 races, perhaps with a rejigging and eating into some of the winter break. Might get, say, two 14 race seasons that way. Probably not, but it might prevent this season from feeling completely written off.
Also not sure how 2021 works for teams switching engines... Guessing they'll come to some agreement to carry over existing deals and delaying the next one.
Also not sure how 2021 works for teams switching engines... Guessing they'll come to some agreement to carry over existing deals and delaying the next one.
What about all those drivers out of contract this year?
Le Mans has been moved to september BTW.
Le Mans has been moved to september BTW.
You'll see a flurry of one year deals.
F1 launches Virtual GP series to fill void of postponed races
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...ual-gp-series-to-fill-void-of-postponed-races
This could be good fun to watch.
Bahrain GP this Sunday, qualifying stage and half race length.
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...ual-gp-series-to-fill-void-of-postponed-races
This could be good fun to watch.
Bahrain GP this Sunday, qualifying stage and half race length.
Would have been Senna's 60th birthday today.
This is 10 years old but worthy of watching.
RIP to who I think was the greatest F1 driver of all time , certainly the best I have watched, remember the day he died vividly
This is a hard watch, the last weekend
This is 10 years old but worthy of watching.
RIP to who I think was the greatest F1 driver of all time , certainly the best I have watched, remember the day he died vividly
This is a hard watch, the last weekend
I was a bit too young to fully appreciate Senna's talent but watching documentaries, youtube clips etc and listening to the vast number of F1 drivers who hold him as the best ever makes it very difficult to argue otherwise. Schumacher is my F1 hero if you will but you'll never hear me say that he was better than Senna.
Clarkson said in the Top Gear Tribute that he was not a Senna fan, always thought Gerhard Berger was the better driver, but after watching hour and hours of Senna races, he said Gerhard Berger was spectacular in some races, but Sena was spectacular every time he got in a car
Surely it wasn't Gerhard Berger he said. I grew up as a little Ferrari fan in the 90s so I'll always have a soft spot for Berger and Alesi, but thinking he was better than Senna?
He must have said Prost.
Edit: Having had a rewatch, their tribute still stands up 10 years later. And it was Gilles Villeneuve
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Always want to love F1, but I find the it lacks real competitiveness.
Merc, Ferrari, Red bull, and with some sleeping giants like Renault, Mclaren and Williams, it'd be great to have a really competitive roster.
That being said, I just smashed through both seasons of Ride to Survive and it makes me want to watch to get into it this year, if it every takes off
Merc, Ferrari, Red bull, and with some sleeping giants like Renault, Mclaren and Williams, it'd be great to have a really competitive roster.
That being said, I just smashed through both seasons of Ride to Survive and it makes me want to watch to get into it this year, if it every takes off