Published on April 9th, 2020 | by Subhash Nair

Formula 1 Shut Down For Another 5 Weeks

Formula 1 teams and the FIA have all agreed to temporarily halt all races and operations for five weeks. This means that the earliest possible time for the season to kick off would be 14 June in Canada. The 2020 season opener in Melbourne, Australia was cancelled at the last minute. Since then, the Vietnamese, Chinese, Dutch, Spanish, Azerbaijan and Canadian Gran Prix races have all been postponed. The Monaco Grand Prix was outright cancelled.

“Following unanimous approval by the Formula 1 Strategy Group, Commission and all teams, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified by e-vote the decision to extend the Formula 1 shutdown period from 21 to 35 days, to be taken in March, April and/or May, for all competitors and Power Unit manufacturers… Further discussions regarding this topic remain open between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams in light of the ongoing global impact of COVID-19.”

Besides the Formula 1 teams being listed in the shut down, engine manufacturers now are also being asked to put operations on hold too.

Formula 1 officials hope to get at least 15 races out of the 2020 season despite these delays, but might discuss extending the season into 2021 should this become impossible.

PRESS RELEASE

Formula 1’s rulemakers have approved a motion to extend the shutdown period by a further two weeks, as the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, governing body the FIA opted to bring F1’s traditional summer shutdown period forward to the spring and extend it by seven days to three weeks.

On Monday, F1 teams, F1 and the FIA held a conference call to discuss a number of matters, including extending the shutdown period.

The FIA said the Strategy Group, F1 Commission and 10 teams gave unanimous approval to extend the shutdown period from 21 days to 35. The World Motor Sport Council subsequently ratified the decision.

The shutdown means departments such as design, research and development, production and build must down tools. A recent rule change extended the closure to power unit manufacturers, too, as rulemakers moved to cut costs.

Teams can enforce their shutdown in March, April and/or May. Ferrari’s initial three-week period was due to end tomorrow, Wednesday 8 April. Alfa Romeo’s first three weeks, for example, won’t end until April 13th.

The FIA added in their statement: “Further discussions regarding this topic remain open between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams in light of the ongoing global impact of COVID-19.”

You can find the Statement about the postponement of the 2020 FIA F1 Chinese Grand Prix here

You can find the Statement about the Sanya E-Prix here

You can find the Statement about the Rome E-Prix here

You can find the Statement about the Jakarta E-Prix here

You can find the Statement about the ABB FIA Formula E Championship season being temporarily suspended

You can find the Statement on the cancellation of the FIA WEC “Sebring 1000 Miles” race scheduled for March 20 here

You can find the Statement on the WRC Rally Argentina Postponed here

You can find the Statement on the cancellation of the 2020 FIA F1 Australian Gran Prix here

You can find the Statment on the FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix and Vietnam Grand Prix Postponed here

You can find the Statement on the postponement of the TOTAL 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

You can find the Statement on the cancellation of the 2020 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup Race of Germany here

You can find the Statement on the postponement of the 24 hours of Le Mans here