Month: March 2020

The Formula International Association is considering shortening race weekends with F1, limiting them to two days. Alterations to the regular season would include extending the 2020 Grand Prix’s into January. Drivers would be forced to begin the next season immediately after the championships were concluded. This information was provided through Mattia Binotto, the Team Leader for Ferrari F1.

The initial eight Grand Prix’s slated for the 2020 season have been postponed or terminated following the global Covid-19 Pandemic. The Chief Executive Officer behind Formula One has expressed that a 2020 championship will be held, with the seasonal alterations beginning this summer. There’ll be a maximum of fifteen to eighteen Grand Prix’s, which could provide enough championship points to conduct the 2020 F1 Season.

It should be noted that the inaugural Grand Prix for 2020 is expected to be the Canadian Grand Prix. Rapid changes in the Canadian ecosystem could prompt this GP to be cancelled as well, with Covid-19 rapidly spreading throughout Canada’s provinces. It’s not known how the two-day race weeks would be scheduled, with Mattia Binotto not providing extensive details. It’s suspected that three practice sessions would be held throughout Saturdays. Qualifying and Races would be held on Sundays. Mattia expects multiple meetings with the F1A & all other teams in Formula One before a decision is made.

The Interview

Mattia Binotto spoke with Sky Sports Italia from an enclosed location in Northern Italy. He expressed that Ferrari has had continuous conversations with the Formula International Association. All team principals have determined that Covid-19 is a crucial moment in Formula One’s history, with demands from supporters having to be met. This doesn’t mean that these team principals are forcing the FIA’s hand. Mattia noted that timetable-wise, they’ve provided the FIA complete freedom over the 2020 calendar. Binotto believes the safety of supporters is more important than the livelihood of Formula One. Before any decision can be made, logistical challenges for two-day weekends must be solved.

The minimum requirement for a 2020 Formula One Championship would be eight Grand Prix’s. Mattia noted that all F1 outfits have agreed to a January extension of the 2020 season. However, it’s been requested by Hass and Renault that the 2021 Season wouldn’t begin until March.

Supporters behind Formula One have something to look forward to with the announcement that an F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series will begin on March 22nd. This will include several drivers currently employed with F1 Teams, allowing for virtual races to be enjoyed while a large percentage of the community remains in self-isolation. This announcement follows after additional venues in the F1 Calendar were terminated, like the Monaco Grand Prix. Those wanting to watch these virtual races have multiple ways to witness the events, with the 1st location slated to be the Bahrain Grand Prix. All postponed or cancelled races on the Calendar will be replaced with virtual venues going forward. This is expected to be consistent until May or June.

The 1st race at Bahrain will host the several F1 Drivers, with some being announced and others unconfirmed. It’s known that Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris will be competing, with George Russel and Charles Leclerc suspected. It was confirmed on March 21st that Max Verstappen wouldn’t compete in the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series, even though he’s driven in this manner multiple times before. This venue is slated to begin at 4:00 PM-EST and will be broadcasted from the G-Infinity Esports Arena, with the drivers streaming from their respective homes in self-isolation.

Race Details

This series will be managed through “F1 2019” on Microsoft computers. This Codemasters-developed game will support 50% Race Length, meaning that twenty-eight laps will be driven during this broadcast. It’s expected that two or three races will be held during the 1 Hour & 30 Minutes broadcast schedule. This will include a qualifying period to ensure that grid positions are based on the driver’s respective skillsets.

It should be mentioned that the game setting will be specially configured to encourage entertaining and competitive racing. Cars will support equal performance with fixed setups. There’ll be reduced vehicle damage, optional traction control & variable anti-lock brakes available to the drivers as well. The F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series is for entertainment purposes, meaning that points won’t apply to the F1 Drivers or Collectors Championship. We’ll keep our readers informed on the outcome of these virtual races and any news regarding the F1 2020 Season.

Shocking announcements were made to Formula One Fans throughout the last several days. The most recent came on March 12th, with the Bahrain and Vietnam Grand Prix’s also being cancelled moving forward. Those cancellations follow the already terminated Chinese and Australian Grand Prix’s. During these announcements, the Formula International Association confirmed that delays could extend until May. Regular reviews of the Coronavirus Outbreak will be held to ensure public safety going forward. The necessary cancellations will be made to guarantee the protection of the F1 Community.

Most supporters with Formula One weren’t anticipating that the novel coronavirus would turn into COVID-19, prompting the immediate cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix in February. Those supporters were against shocked when the virus continued to spread, affecting the Melbourne grid. It was confirmed that a McLaren F1 Employee had contracted the novel coronavirus. Drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen immediately left Australia for their respective homes. It should be noted that both drivers are young fathers and cannot risk exposure.

The Official Statements

Supporters were provided details on this decision through multiple outlets. Those included Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the Formula One website. Their remarks noted that the Australian Grand Prix cancellation created immediate concerns for the remaining situation. The ongoing pandemic surrounding COVID-19 prompted Grand Prix Organizers globally to evaluate their respective options to ensure limited exposure. Promoters determined this decision suits the global safety of travelling employees, participants in the championship and supporters that’d purchased tickets. All cancelled Grand Prix’s have provided refunds to those individuals.

Race promoters going forward will work closely with the Formula International Association. It’ll be determined through relevant monitoring tactics what the appropriate steps are to ensure the safety of F1 Communities. Supporters can anticipate the updated season to begin Mid-Mid in the European Union, meaning that multiple Middle Eastern and Asian events will be postponed until the 2021 season. It should be mentioned that all F1 Teams expressed their hope towards the Grand Prix being re-scheduled, with travel restrictions most likely halting any chances of this happening before June 2020. It’s not known how these race promoters are dealing with their respective advertisement contracts, with details being held private until quarterly reports from the FIA. Updated details will be available at Sports Express.

Additional cancellations to the Formula One 2020 Calendar are possible following an extreme outbreak of the coronavirus throughout Italy. Quarantine legislation was enacted last week throughout Italy, forcing the Northern Provinces to be shut down effective immediately. This comes after substantial concerns regarding the coronavirus throughout Italy, with them being the most affected nation across the European Union. They’ve experienced 5883 infections, with 233 individuals dying from the coronavirus. It prompted the Italian government to implement dramatic quarantine rules to limit outbreak exposure.

March 8th marked a significant date in the history books for Italy. They implemented the Draconian Quarantine Measures, which haven’t been engaged throughout Italy on this level since the Black Plague. One of the most prominent concerns for Formula One Supporters with this increased outbreak is the cancellation of the Monza Grand Prix. It also concerns for Ferrari, with their headquarters being located in the Quarantine Zone. The Pirelli headquarters are located in Milan and Lombardy, two other locations throughout Italy that are quarantined. This means that representatives from Pirelli and Ferrari can’t enter these provinces going forward, which would create substantial issues for all F1 Outfits in the coming months.

The Alpha Tauri Struggles Begin

Two unexpected drivers by the name of Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat are worried are their upcoming season. The Alpha Tauri F1 Team, which is having their first season throughout Formula One in 2020, has its headquarters located through the Italian province of Ravenna. This province is also under lockdown, which will impose similar issues that Ferrari and Pirelli are experiencing onto Alpha Tauri. Their launch season could be unmemorable. It should be noted that minimal exceptions will be made towards individuals wanting to enter these regions. It doesn’t matter if they’re connected with the Formula International Association, exceptions won’t be provided.

Most sporting analysts are concerned with the FIA and their refusal to terminate the season opener in Australia. Travelling supporters could cause a potential outbreak of the coronavirus throughout Australia. It should be noted that the Thailand Grand Prix, Bahrain Grand Prix and Chinese Grand Prix have already been cancelled or altered for the coronavirus. It’s unknown if the entire Formula One season will be terminated in the next several days, with most sporting analysts collectively agreeing this isn’t possible.